Chapter 6

Fundamentals
of Pressure Buildup
Analysis Methods

6.1 Introduction
This chapter discusses the most frequently used pressure buildup test. It is
the simplest test that can be run on a gas well. If the effects of wellbore storage
can be determined, much useful information can be obtained. This information
includes permeability k, apparent skin factor s', and average reservoir pressure
PR- The test consists of flowing the well at a constant rate qsc for a period of time
tp, shutting the well in (at At -- 0), and measuring wellbore pressure increase
with shut-in time At. Homer developed the test, and this method of analysis is
generally considered the best. Other conventional methods of analysis include
the Homer plot, the Miller-Dyes-Hutchinson 2 plot (often abbreviated as the
MDH plot), and the Muskat plot. Homer 1 showed that a plot of the shut-in
pressure Pws versus log (tp + A t ) / A t should result in a straight line for an
infinite-acting reservoir. In the buildup tests, t refers to the drawdown period
prior to a buildup and At refers to the shut-in or buildup time. Matthews,
Brons, and Hazebroek, 3 abbreviated as MBH, extended the application of the
Homer plot to finite reservoirs.
A buildup test is always preceded by a drawdown, and the buildup data
are directly affected by this drawdown. Usually, the drawdown starts from a
stabilized reservoir condition represented by the stabilized reservoir pressure,
PI. At a time t, the well is shut in and the buildup is continued for a time At.
Under these conditions, the behavior of the static sand face pressure, Pws, is
depicted in Figure 6-1.

6.2 Pressure Buildup Behavior Curves

Figure 6-2 shows pressure buildup curve shapes. As also shown in that
figure, the fracture cases and large negative skin cases approach the semilog
straight line from above when wellbore storage is small. That figure also shows

319
Figure 6-2. Idealized pressure buildup characteristics for a gas well (after
Miller et a/.). 2
 Fundamentals of Pressure Buildup Analysis Methods 321

that behavior can be hidden by large wellbore storage effects, so the buildup
curve may have the characteristic shape associated with wellbore storage or
with a positive skin. For the figure shown Miller, Dyes, and Hutchinson scales 2
are used. The Homer plot is equally useful and is often preferred. Details
discussion can be found in the next sections.

6.3 Uses and Practical Applications of Pressure

Buildup Tests
Much information can be obtained from pressure transient tests. Pressure
transient testing techniques, such as buildup, drawdown, interference, and
pulse, are an important part of reservoir and production engineering. As the
term is used in this book, pressure transient testing includes generating and
measuring pressure variations with time on gas wells and, subsequently, esti-
mating rock, fluid, and well properties and predicting reservoir/well behavior.
Practical information obtainable from transient testing includes wellbore vol-
ume, damage, and improvements; reservoir pressure; formation permeability;
porosity; reserves; reservoir and fluid discontinuities; and other related data.
All this information can be used to help analyze, improve, and forecast reser-
voir performance.
It is generally good practice to run a base pressure transient test on a pro-
ducing well shortly after completion or an injection well after a suitable period
of injection. This can lead to early recognition and correction of many prob-
lems, of which insufficient stimulation is only the most obvious. Such tests
also provide in situ data for reservoir simulation and a base for comparison
with reservoir or well problem as they arise. Figure 6-3 shows types, uses, and
practical applications of buildup tests.

6.4 Type Curves and Desuperposition

Type curves are also applicable to the analysis of buildup tests, though
type curve matching techniques are not discussed fully in this section. Type
curve matching provides a simple method for determining the time of start
of transient flow during drawdown tests. A similar approach may be used to
determine the time of start of semilog straight-line data in buildup tests with
one additional step. Since a buildup is always preceded by a drawdown, the
buildup data must be "desuperposed" before attempting a type curve match. It
may be noted that desuperposition can also be performed on the second rate of
a two-rate test. Early-time data obtained during a buildup may be desuperposed
by assuming ~(Pwfp) to be constant at a value ~(Pwfo).
322 Gas Well Testing Handbook

Includes well bore volume,

damage, and improvement;
reservoir pressure;
permeability; porosity;
Flow and Pressure Transient Tests reserves; reservoir and fluid
discontinuities and other related
data

Buildup tests
l Uses
Interfence and Pulse tests

All this information can

be used to help analyze,
improve, and predict
reservoir performance

Figure 6--3. Uses and practical applications of buildup tests.

6.5 Tests Utilizing Early-Time Data

Analysis of early-time data may yield adequate approximations of kh. Such
an analysis may be necessary only when middle-time data are not available. As
mentioned in the previous section, a desuperposition of buildup data can give
the equivalent of a drawdown plot and may be analyzed as such. Consequently,
the discussions related to the early-time flow required in Chapter 5 generally
apply to buildup tests as they do to drawdown tests.

6.6 Tests Utilizing Middle-Time and Late-Time Data

In Chapter 5 it has been shown that early-time data may be used to determine
the time of start of transient flow data. A similar analysis applies to the early-
time portion of a buildup. Data should be obtained in the transient flow regime
since reservoir parameters calculated by an analysis of middle-time data are
much more reliable than those calculated from early-time data.
Data obtained from a properly conducted buildup test that follows either a
single-rate or a two-rate drawdown test and also a variable-rate drawdown test
may be analyzed to yield values of kh, s', and PR. The pressure buildup behav-
ior during the middle-time period is analogous to that during the transient flow
period in a drawdown test. In other words, the reservoir is infinite acting and
boundaries do not affect the pressure-time data. The analysis of middle-time
 Fundamentals of Pressure Buildup Analysis Methods 323

data yields a semilog straight line, which should not be confused with the
semilog straight line for a drawdown test. This straight line, when extrapo-
lated, yields values of a false reservoir pseudopressure, qJ*, corresponding
to p*, which is used to calculate the average reservoir pseudopressure, 7zR,
corresponding to the average reservoir pressure, PR.

6.7 Pressure-Time Behavior of Infinite-Acting

Reservoirs
The most useful solution for transient flow is the so-called line source
solution. The solution including formation damage and turbulence effects is

A p D = 0.5(Into + 0.809) + s' (6-1)

where
s' = s + Dqsc; s = actual well damage or improvement
(may be positive or negative)
D = turbulence coefficient, which will always be positive
to - dimensionless time
A p o -- dimensionless pressure drop

In terms of real variables and common log, Eq. 6-1 in terms of the pressure
squared case becomes

p2 2 _ 57.920 x 106qscTPsc#gZ
- Pwf kh Tsc

x log tp + log ~-~g-dr~ - 3.23 + 0.869s' (6-2)

where k is in millidarcys. If the well is shut in at time te and allowed to build

up for a time At, the effect of the shut-in may be obtained by the superposition
of two effects. During the shut-in period, the static bottom hole pressure is
given by the sum of the continuing effect of the drawdown rate qsc and the
superposed effect of the change in rate (0 - q~c) and is represented by

57.920 • 10 6 q sc Tp sc-ffg -~ r
2
- Pwf-
kh Tsc
/ log(re + At)
i..._

(k)]57"920xlO6qscTpsclZg z
-k- log ~P-~g-Cr 2 -- 3.23 + kh T~c

log At + log (r k 2 -- 3 . 2 3 ) ] (6-3)

324 Gas Well Testing Handbook

Note that the apparent skin, s', should not be superposed in time since it is a
function only of the existing flow rate. The first term on the fight-hand side
of Eq. 6-3 represents the effect due to the drawdown at a rate qsc for a time
(te + At). The second term is the effect of the change in rate from qsc to 0 for
a time At. Combining these terms and simplifying Eq. 6-3 gives

p2 2 57"920xlO6qscTPsclZgZlog(tp +At)
-- Pwf -- kh Tsc At (6-4)

This relationship represents the commonly used Homer plot. It is obtained from
this equation that plot of A(p 2) versus log(t/, + A t ) / A t on semilogarithmic
coordinates will give a straight line of slope m, from which

57.920 x 106qscTpsclZgZ
kh = (6-5)
m Tsc
It must be noted that in all semilog plots representing drawdown or buildup
tests, only the magnitude and not the sign of the slope is considered. Defining
Pwfo as the pressure just before shut-in, Eq. 6-2 may be written as

p2 2 57.920 x 106qscTPsclZgZ
Pwfo
_ _

-
kh Tsc

x [log te + log
q~g~r 2
- 3.23 + 0.869s' ] (6-6)

Subtracting Eq. 6-4 from Eq. 6-6 gives

p2ws --
2
Pwfo -- m
[ log t tzx
+ Att + log -- - 2 -- 3.23 + 0.869s' (6-7)
~lZgCrw

Defining Pihr as the pressure at At -- 1, and assuming tp ~m

tp+l 1, Eq. 6-7 may
be simplified to give

s' -- 1.151 l h r - Pwfo _ log ~ + 3.23 (6-8)

m dp-fig-dr2

where p2lhr is obtained from an extrapolation of the lineal" segment of the plot
at At = 1 hr (log 1 = 0). Equation 6-8 may be used to calculate s'. There is no
way to separate s' into its components s and Dqsc from a single buildup test.
However, if another is conducted following a different single-rate drawdown,
a different value of s' is obtained. The two different values of s' may be used
 Fundamentals of Pressure Buildup Analysis Methods 325

with Eqs. 5-46 and 5-47 to calculate s and D separately. Pressure buildup in
term of the pseudopressure ~ (pws) approach is

57.920xlO6qscTpsc (tp+At)
qJ (Pi ) -- qJ (Pws) -- kh Tsc log At (6-9)

From this form of equation it can be seen that a plot of ~ (pws) versus log(tp +
A t ) / A t gives a straight line of slope m, from which flow capacity kh may be
calculated by using Eq. 6-10:

57.920 • 106qscTPsc
kh = (6-10)
m Tsc

s'-- l'151I~(Plhr)-- qJ(Pwf~ --log( k ) ]

m qbl~gTCir2 + 3.23 (6-11)

Noting that tp (Plhr) should be obtained from the straight-line portion (extrap-
olated, if necessary) of the Homer plot, Eq. 6-11 may be used to calculate s',
where s' - s + Dqsc. s and Dqsc can be found from two-rate buildup tests. The
two different values of s' may be used with Eqs. 5-46 and 5-47 to calculate s
and D separately.

tlI ( Ap)skin - - 0.869ms' (6-12)

FE =
tlJ(~) - tIJ(Pwfo) - tlfl(Ap)skin (6-13)
* (~) - * (pweo)

Equations 6-12 and 6-13 may be used to calculate pressure drop due to ap-
parent skin and flow efficiency. The reservoir properties are evaluated at true
Pi, average pressure ~ (if available) or V/[(/32 + p2I)/2]. If tp (~) is available,
tp (/3) should be replaced by tp (~).
A buildup semilog plot for an infinite reservoir is shown in Figures 6-4 and
6-5. Commonly used alternative buildup plots are shown in Figures 6-6 and
6-7 (after Matthews and Russell, p. 123) 4 in which the time axis increases
from left to the fight. The use of a Homer plot to calculate reservoir parameter
is illustrated in Example 6-1.

Example 6-126 Analyzing Gas Well Single-Rate Buildup Test

The well was shut in at a constant rate of 6.148 mmscfd for 147.12 hr, during
which time the pressure buildup was monitored continuously. The pressure just
prior to shut-in was 1735 psia. General data pertinent to the test are given below.
The pressure-time data are also tabulated in Table 6-3, columns 1 and 3, and are
given directly in the solution to this problem. From a recombined gas analysis:
N2 -- 0.11%, CO2 -- 7.84%, H2S = 0.0%, C1 -- 80.55%, C2 = 5.10%,
326 Gas Well Testing Handbook

( t +At) / At ,,-

Figure 6--5. Buildup s e m i l o g plots.

C3 - 4 . 3 6 % , iC4 - 0 . 8 7 % , nC4 - 0 . 7 7 % , iC5 - 0 . 2 2 % , nC5 - 0 . 0 9 % ,

C6 -- 0 . 1 1 % , C7 + = 0.00.
W e l l / r e s e r v o i r data are as follows: well depth - 12,550 ft; T -- 250~
h - 54 ft; ~ - 0.179; Cg - 0 . 0 0 0 2 5 p s i - l ; Cw - 3.20 x 10 -6 p s i - i ;
 Fundamentals of Pressure Buildup Analysis Methods 327

Figure 6-6. Horner buildup plots (after Matthews and Russell, p. 123). 4

co - 3.30 • 10 - 6 psi-l; Cf -- 3.90 • 10 - 6 psi-l; 2 -- 0.9467; ~g -- 0.02345

cP, S w - - 0.335; S g - - 0.665; c t - - 0.00023 psi-l; PR -- 3700 psia; production
rate at shut-in time -- 6.148 mmscfd; cumulative production prior to test --
11.382 mmscf; and

/~g - 0.00513 f t 3 / s c f - 0.000913 bbl/scf

= 194.9752 scf/ft 3 - 1095 scf/bbl
= 1.0948 mscf/bbl - 0.9134 bbl/mscf

Using the H o m e r method, determine the following:

1. Permeability k
2. Skin factor s and pressure drop due to skin, APskin
3. Flow efficiency using p*
4. Effective wellbore radius

Solution From gas compositional analysis calculate gas properties: M W -

21.20, G - 0.732, Pc - 645.08 psia, Tc - 380.16~ H2S - - 0 . 0 0 % , CO2 -
7.84%, N2 -- 0.11%, Pi - - 3965 psia,/zi - 0.02440 cP, ci - 0.0002295.
328 Gas Well Testing Handbook

Figure 6-7. Horner buildup plots (after Matthews and Russell, p. 123).4

From known PVT correlations calculate z and ]J,g, and find the real gas
pseudopressure function
P

.-fP 0
mdp
#z

Table 6-1 shows PVT gas properties and pseudopressure calculations.

Figure 6-8 is a plot of compressibility factor versus pressure; Figure 6-9

is a plot of gas viscosity versus pressure; and Figure 6-10 is a plot of real
gas pseudopressure versus pressure. Using Figures 6-8 through 6-10 develop
six-degree polynomial coefficients. See Table 6-2 for numerical values of
coefficients for predicting PVT properties. Table 6-3 shows the test data.
Calculate pseudoproducing time:
24 x 11.382
tp = = 44.44 hr
6.148
 Fundamentals of Pressure Buildup Analysis Methods 329

Table 6-1
PVT Gas Properties and Pseudopressure Calculations

Real gas
Pressure Compressibility Gas pseudopressure
(psia) factor (z) viscosity/Zg (psiaZ/cP)
(cP)

4000 0.9647 0.024580 872.92E+06

3600 0.9445 0.023151 739.56E+06
3200 0.9282 0.217210 610.28E+06
2800 0.9169 0.020329 486.72E+06
2400 0.9113 0.019008 371.18E+06
2000 0.9120 0.017784 266.41E+06
1600 0.9189 0.016681 175.33E+06
1200 0.9319 0.015723 100.83E+06
800 0.9503 0.014932 45.51E+06
400 0.9733 0.014337 11.47E+06
14.65 0.9995 0.013978 5.17E+05

Figure 6-8. Z-factor versus pressure, psia.

Figure 6-11 shows a log-log plot. The beginning of the straight line by using
the one and one-half log cycle rule is 3.75 hr. Figures 6-12 and 6-13 show
Homer buildup data plot. From Figure 6-12 or 6-13, the following information
is obtained: beginning of straight line = 5 hr; end of straight line -- 9 hr; m -- 21
mmpsia2/cP/cycle.
330 Gas Well Testing Handbook

Figure 6--10. ~p-p curve for Example 6-1.

Plhr -- 650.00 mmpsia2/cp ~ 3330 psia

p* -- 861.12 mmpsia2/cp ~ 3965 psia
pwf(At=o) -- 201.25 mmpsiaZ/cP ~ 1720psia
C t - - C g S g -Jr- C w S w -t- C f

-- 2.5 • 10 -4 • 0.665 + 3.2 • 10 -6 • 0.335 + 3.9 • 10 -6

= 2.30 • 10-4psi -1
 Fundamentals of Pressure Buildup Analysis Methods 331

Table 6-2
Numerical Values of Coefficients for Predicting PVT Properties

Real pseudopressure
Polynomial Z-factor Gas viscosity function
coefficients -- (cP) (psia2/cp)

A 0.999513 0.0139689 39453

B -6.810505E-05 6.044023E-07 -222.976
C 4.707337E-09 8.323752E-10 72.0827
D 5.011202E-12 -1.145527E-17 5.287041E-04
E - 6.626846E-016 1.550466E- 17 - 1.993697E-06
F 1.094491E-20 - 1.721434E-21 1.92384E-10

1000
, i i i
900 - - i i i i
I I I I
. , .

! ! , i !
800 -- I I I I _ ~ M i J m ~ = , ~ ~

700 -- ,11, ii ii
s =20 i ~ i " ,'\
o 600 - -
I II
N
x I I

,i '~" / 3.75 hours

E
500 - -
i
i
*~
g;
/ !
Beginning of straight line
!
,,..r,
I I

i i~ ~ i
jmm mmmmmmmmwi~i I
i~
I
i,
I I
I i i
I I I
I,
! I I
! I I
,
i I I
100
O.Ol o.1 10 100 1000
Shut-in time At, hours

Figure 6--11. Type curve match for the desuperposed buildup data (log-log
plot for Example 6-1).

1. Using Equation 6-10, permeability is

5 7 . 9 2 x 106 x 6 . 1 4 8 x 7 1 0 x 14.65
kh - = 339.07 mD/ft
21 x 5 2 0
k- 339.07/54- 8.27 m D

(text continued on page 337)

332 Gas Well Testing Handbook

Table 6-3
Pressure Buildup Test Data

Drainage
Time, A t tt~-k-
AtAt ews ews A ews ~P(Aews) radius
hr -- (psig) (psia) psia mmpsia2/cP ri (ft)
(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7)
0.00 -- 1720 1735 204.35 0.00 0
0.02 2666.92 1723 1738 204.96 0.00 16
0.03 1333.96 1733 1747 207.12 0.059 22
0.07 667.48 1773 1788 216.16 14.89 31
0.10 445.32 1803 1818 223.10 21.83 38
0.13 334.24 1854 1869 234.89 33.62 44
0.17 267.59 1911 1925 248.28 47.01 49
0.25 178.73 2014 2028 273.44 72.17 60
0.33 134.30 2120 2135 300.34 99.07 69
0.50 89.86 2297 2312 347.09 145.82 85
0.75 60.24 2601 2615 432.19 230.92 104
1.00 45.43 2805 2819 492.58 291.31 120
1.50 32.62 3132 3146 593.35 392.07 147
2.00 23.22 3295 3310 645.38 444.11 170
2.50 18.77 3335 3350 658.17 456.89 190
3.00 15.81 3352 3366 663.42 462.14 208
3.50 13.69 3368 3382 668.65 467.37 225
4.00 12.11 3370 3385 669.42 468.14 240
4.83 10.19 3377 3391 671.52 470.24 264
5.00 9.89 3382 3397 673.23 471.96 269
5.50 9.08 3388 3403 675.21 473.93 282
6.00 8.41 3393 3407 676.66 475.38 294
6.50 7.84 3397 3411 677.96 476.68 306
7.00 7.35 3400 3415 679.15 477.88 318
7.50 6.92 3404 3418 680.32 479.04 329
8.00 6.55 3406 3421 681.13 479.85 340
8.50 6.23 3410 3425 682.30 481.02 350
9.00 5.94 3413 3428 683.37 482.09 360
9.50 5.68 3417 3432 684.66 483.39 370
10.0 5.44 3421 3436 685.99 484.72 380
10.50 5.23 3425 3440 687.32 486.05 389
11.00 5.04 3429 3443 688.36 487.08 398
11.50 4.86 3432 3447 689.43 488.16 407
12.00 4.70 3434 3448 689.95 488.68 416
12.50 4.55 3436 3451 690.86 489.59 425
13.00 4.42 3438 3453 691.55 490.27 433
13.50 4.29 3441 3456 692.46 491.18 441
14.00 4.17 3444 3459 693.40 492.12 449
 Fundamentals of Pressure Buildup Analysis Methods 333

Table 6-3 (Continued)

Drainage
tpd-At
Time, At At Pws Pws A Pws ~b(A Pws) radius
hr (psig) (psia) psia mmpsia2/cP ri (ft)
(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7)

14.50 4.06 3447 3461 694.18 492.90 457

15.00 3.96 3449 3464 694.96 493.68 465
15.50 3.87 3452 3466 695.88 494.62 473
16.00 3.78 3454 3468 696.53 495.27 480
16.50 3.69 3456 3471 697.31 496.06 488
17.00 3.61 3458 3473 697.86 496.61 495
17.50 3.54 3461 3475 698.77 497.52 502
18.00 3.47 3462 3477 699.29 498.04 509
18.50 3.40 3465 3479 700.11 498.85 516
19.00 3.34 3467 3481 700.76 499.51 523
19.50 3.28 3469 3483 701.41 500.16 530
20.00 3.22 3471 3486 702.22 500.97 537
20.50 3.17 3473 3488 702.75 501.49 544
21.00 3.12 3474 3489 703.14 501.88 550
21.50 3.07 3477 3491 703.92 502.67 557
22.00 3.02 3478 3493 704.47 503.22 563
22.50 2.97 3480 3494 704.99 503.74 570
23.00 2.93 3481 3496 705.52 504.26 576
23.50 2.89 3482 3497 705.78 504.53 582
24.00 2.85 3485 3499 706.59 505.34 588
24.50 2.81 3486 3501 706.98 505.73 594
25.00 2.78 3487 3502 707.38 506.12 600
26.00 2.71 3491 3505 708.58 507.33 612
27.00 2.65 3494 3509 709.76 508.51 624
28.00 2.59 3497 3512 710.71 509.45 635
29.00 2.53 3500 3515 711.62 510.37 647
30.00 2.48 3503 3518 712.53 511.28 658
31.00 2.43 3506 3521 713.61 512.36 669
32.00 2.39 3509 3524 714.66 513.41 679
33.00 2.35 3511 3526 715.21 513.96 690
34.00 2.31 3514 3529 716.26 515.01 760
35.00 2.27 3517 3532 717.21 515.96 710
36.00 2.23 3519 3533 717.73 516.48 720
37.00 2.20 3522 3536 718.65 517.40 730
38.00 2.17 3523 3538 719.17 517.92 740
39.00 2.14 3526 3541 720.12 518.87 750
40.00 2.22 3529 3544 721.17 519.92 759
41.00 2.08 3531 3546 721.72 520.47 769
42.00 2.06 3534 3548 722.64 521.39 778
43.00 2.03 3536 3550 723.30 522.04 787
44.00 2.01 3539 3553 724.25 522.99 797
334 Gas Well Testing Handbook

Table 6-3 (Continued)

Drainage
Time, A t tp-k
AtAt ews ews A ews ~p(Aews) radius
hr (psig) (psia) psia mmpsia2/cp ri fit)
(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7)

45.00 1.99 3540 3555 724.77 523.52 806

46.00 1.97 3543 3557 725.56 524.31 814
47.00 1.95 3445 3560 726.38 525.12 823
48.00 1.93 3547 3561 726.90 525.65 832
49.00 1.91 3549 3564 727.69 526.44 841
50.00 1.89 3551 3566 728.38 527.12 849
51.00 1.87 3552 3567 728.64 527.39 858
52.00 1.85 3555 3570 729.56 528.31 866
53.00 1.84 3559 3571 730.08 528.83 874
54.00 1.82 3560 3574 730.90 529.65 882
55.00 1.81 3663 3575 731.30 530.04 891
56.0O 1.79 3565 3578 732.22 530.96 899
57.00 1.78 3567 3580 732.91 531.65 907
58.00 1.77 3568 3581 733.43 532.18 915
59.00 1.75 3570 3583 733.96 532.70 922
60.00 1.74 3572 3585 734.48 533.23 930
61.00 1.73 3574 3587 735.17 533.92 938
62.00 1.72 3576 3589 735.96 534.71 946
63.00 1.71 3578 3590 736.35 535.10 953
64.00 1.69 3579 3592 737.04 535.79 961
65.00 1.68 3580 3594 737.57 536.32 968
66.00 1.67 3583 3595 737.83 536.58 976
67.00 1.66 3584 3597 738.62 537.37 983
68.00 1.65 3586 3599 739.18 537.93 990
69.00 1.64 3588 3601 739.84 538.59 997
70.00 1.63 3589 3602 740.36 539.11 1005
71.00 1.63 3592 3604 740.89 539.64 1012
72.00 1.62 3592 3606 741.58 540.33 1019
73.00 1.61 3594 3607 741.84 540.59 1026
74.00 1.60 3596 3609 742.50 541.25 1033
75.00 1.59 3598 3611 743.16 541.91 1040
76.00 1.59 3599 3613 743.64 542.38 1047
77.00 1.58 3600 3614 744.12 542.86 1054
78.OO 1.57 3604 3615 744.51 543.26 1061
79.00 1.56 3604 3618 745.60 544.34 1067
80.00 1.56 3606 3619 745.73 544.48 1074
81.00 1.55 3607 3621 746.39 545.13 1081
82.00 1.54 3609 3622 746.78 545.53 1087
83.00 1.54 3611 3624 747.31 546.06 1094
84.00 1.53 3612 3625 747.87 546.62 1101
85.00 1.52 3613 3626 748.26 547.01 1107
86.00 1.52 3615 3628 748.79 547.54 1114
 Fundamentals of Pressure Buildup Analysis Methods 335

Table 6 - 3 (Continued)

Drainage
t~+At
Time, At At Pws Pws A Pws ~b(A Pws) radius
hr (psig) (psia) psia mmpsiaZ/cP ri (ft)
(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7)

87.00 1.51 3616 3630 749.32 548.07 1120

88.00 1.50 3618 3631 749.71 548.46 1126
89.00 1.50 3619 3632 750.14 548.98 1133
90.00 1.49 3621 3634 750.67 549.42 1139
91.00 1.49 3624 3635 751.20 549.95 1145
92.00 1.48 3624 3638 752.15 550.90 1152
93.00 1.48 3625 3639 752.42 551.17 1158
94.00 1.47 3628 3640 752.68 551.43 1164
95.00 1.47 3628 3642 753.47 552.22 1170
96.00 1.46 3692 3643 753.74 552.49 1177
97.00 1.46 3631 3644 753.94 552.81 1183
98.00 1.45 3633 3645 754.63 553.18 1189
99.00 1.45 3635 3647 755.09 553.84 1195
100.00 1.44 3637 3650 755.88 554.63 1201
101.00 1.44 3640 3651 756.44 555.19 1207
102.00 1.44 3642 3654 757.50 556.25 1213
103.00 1.43 3644 3656 758.16 556.91 1219
104.00 1.43 3644 3658 758.72 557.47 1225
105.33 1.42 3644 3659 758.99 557.73 1232
106.00 1.42 3641 3659 758.85 557.60 1236
107.00 1.42 3644 3656 758.03 556.78 1242
109.00 1.41 3644 3658 758.72 557.47 1254
111.00 1.40 3644 3659 758.99 557.73 1265
113.00 1.39 3648 3661 759.65 558.39 1276
115.00 1.39 3651 3663 760.27 559.02 1288
117.00 1.38 3654 3666 761.26 560.01 1299
119.00 1.37 3656 3668 762.06 560.81 1310
121.00 1.37 3659 3671 762.98 561.73 1321
123.00 1.36 3662 3674 763.81 562.56 1332
125.00 1.36 3666 3676 764.74 563.48 1343
127.00 1.35 3666 3681 766.22 564.97 1353
129.00 1.34 3669 3683 766.89 565.63 1364
131.00 1.34 3669 3684 767.15 565.90 1374
133.00 1.33 3673 3684 767.15 565.90 1385
135.00 1.33 3677 3688 768.51 567.25 1395
137.00 1.32 3678 3691 769.73 568.48 1406
139.00 1.32 3680 3693 770.13 568.88 1416
141.00 1.32 3682 3695 770.92 569.67 1426
143.00 1.31 3685 3696 771.32 570.07 1436
145.00 1.31 3686 3700 772.41 571.16 1446
147.12 1.30 3686 3700 772.68 571.43 1446
336 Gas Well Testing Handbook

1000
i i
i
i
m = 21.0 mmpsia 2 / cP / cycle
900 - ~J (P') = 861.1 mmpsiaZ/cP
w(Pi) = 861.1 mmpsia2/cp
uJ(PR) = 772.0 mmpsia2/cp ' x ~
800 -
k = 8.27 md 1 hour
s T M 16.75 ;
700 -
o

-=
tZl.
600 - t 9 t
i 9
i [ ~r(Pws)] I hour 650.0 mmpsia: / cP
500 - , o =

I .#
400 -
!,r
I

End of st-line Beginning of st-line

10 hours 3.75 hours
300 -
~ 9 I !

200 -

100
1000
=
~(Pw?o) = 201.25 mropsia2/cP

100
i

i
I
~
i
iT
10
( t + At)/At

Figure 6-12. Horner buildup data plot for Example 6 - 1 .

900
I
I Slope, m = ( 6 5 0 . 6 7 - 6 7 1 ) /(Log 100-log 10) = 2 1 . 0 m m p s i a 2 / c P / c y c l e
I
9 , , ,
8oo -l-- ................ ................... I. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ; . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

l*,. I I ,. I [
I i ,~our i i
I ~ ~ i / i i
700-'l ........... ~ - ; - ' - ' 1 - ......... -I . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -~. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

?.
r
600 _.
.................... . .................... J .....................

I ~ I i
E~ i % i i
,,~ 500 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ~t,..._..[ . . . . . . .
10 ihours 9 ;
E n d i o f line %~i ~J (Pws) = 201.25 m m p s i a 2 / cP
A ~ ~ /
400 . 3_75.hours._.~. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -i-~-~ i--.Jr . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Straight line b e g i n [ ; ~ ~, 9 i ]
A / i *•..._ iT
I I ! "-.m========.
........ ]- .[ i i
t / I !
200 I l !l i
1 10 100 1000 10000

(t+At)/At

Figure 6-13. Horner buildup data plot for Example 6 - 1 (semilog plot).
 Fundamentals of Pressure Buildup Analysis Methods 337

(text continued from page 331)

2. Using Eq. 6-11, the apparent skin factor is

ctr2) +3.23]
/ k
s ' - - 1.151 [ ~(Plhr)m-- 7t(Pwfo) - log [
\
I650 -- 201.25
= 1.151 21

- log (
0.119 x 0.02345 x 2.3 x 10 -4 x 0.42712
) ]
+ 3.23
= 16.75

The well is damaged; the completion would probably benefit from stim-
ulation. Using Eq. 6-12, the pressure drop due to skin is:

l[s n : 0.869 ms' = 0.869(21)(16.75)

= 305.65 mmpsia2/cp ~ 2215 psia

3. Using Eq. 6-13, the flow efficiency is

7 t ( p * ) - 7t(Pwfo) - ~(Ap)skin
FE --
r r
8 6 1 . 1 2 - 201.25 - 305.68
= = 0.54
861.12 - 201.25

This means that the well is producing about 54% as much gas with the
given drawdown as an undamaged well in a completed perforated interval
would produce.
4. The effective wellbore radius is

rwa -- rwe -s -0.4271e -16"75 -- 2.27 • 10-8 ft

The physical interpretation of this result is that the tested well is produc-
ing 6.148 mmscfd gas with the same pressure drawdown as would a well
with a wellbore radius of 2.27 x 10 -8 ft and permeability unaltered up to
the sandface. Thus, of the total drawdown of approximately (861.12 -
201.25) = 659.87 mmpsia2/cp ~ 3340 psia, about 2125 is caused by
damage.

6.8 Finite Reservoir Behavior

Equation 2-66 may represent flow from a finite reservoir, in the absence
of skin and turbulent effects. Equation 2-66 may be written in terms of pseu-
dopressure with substitutions for dimensionless quantities, and including an
338 Gas Well Testing Handbook

apparent skin factor s', as

kh Tsc ~lZgiCi r2
)
4~toa F ] (6-14)
--3.23-t 2.303 2.303 t- 0.869s'

Superposition of a buildup on the drawdown then gives

qJ(Pi) - qJ(Pws) -- 57.920 • 106qscTpsc log

kh Tsc At

4ZrtDa 1 ( F ] t P + A t - FIAt) ] (6-15)

12.303 2.30-----~ J
For At << tp;

FIAt "~ 0 Fltp+At ~ F IAt

Equation 6--4, for At << t p, then simplifies as

qJ (Pi ) -- ~P(Pws) -- 57.920 • 106 qsc__s

kh Tsc
4~ toa F ]
x log At -t 2.303 2.303 (6-16)

A plot of qJ(Pws) versus (tp + A t ) / A t gives, initially, a straight line of slope

m Extrapolation of the line to an infinite shut-in time At, or ( t p + A t m l),
9 At m

does not result in a value for qJ (pi); the extrapolated value is called qJ (/3) and
can be used to obtain PR, as described later. Figure 6-14 illustrates a typical
buildup plot for a finite reservoir. Note that t p is a pseudoproduction time in
hours and is calculated by

24Gp
tp = (6-17)
QSC
where Gp - cumulative production since well completion, mmscfd, q~c -
constant rate in mmscfd just before shut-in, and toa is a dimensionless time
given by

O.O002637ktp
tDA = (6--18)
~#giCi A
 Fundamentals of Pressure Buildup Analysis Methods 339

Figure 6-14. Buildup semilog plot--finite reservoir,

If real gas potential 9(p) is replaced by bottom-hole pressure squared, p2,

Eq. 6-14 becomes

p 2 _ p2 s = 57.920 x 106qscTpsclzgz
kh T~c
4 rCtoa F
x logte+log ckl*gCr2 - 3.24-~ ~-0.869s']
2.303 2.303
(6-19)
Equation 6-4 becomes

p 2 _ p2 s _ 57.920 z 106qscTpsclzgz
kh Tsc
[ 4toA 1 (Flte+At FIAt)] (6-20)
x log At 2.303 2.303
Equation 6-16 becomes

p2i - p2 s - 57.920 x 106qscTp'clzgz

kh Tsc
log (tP + At 4rCtoa
(6-21)
At ) -~ 2.303 2.303
340 Gas Well Testing Handbook

A plot of p2 s versus tp+At

At gives a straight line of slope m Extrapolation of the
line to an infinite shut-in time At, or tp+At
At
= 1, does not result in a value for
p2. The extrapolated value is called/32 and can be used to obtain if2.

6.9 Average Reservoir Pressure Estimating

Techniques
Average reservoir pressures are used for characterizing a reservoir, com-
puting its oil/gas in place, and predicting future behavior. In addition to these
uses, the average reservoir pressure is required to find a quantitative use in
volumetric-balance calculations of oil/gas in place in a reservoir. In this sec-
tion we will present various methods to calculate average reservoir pressure in
a gas reservoir.

Horner-MBH Method
The average reservoir pressure for a finite or bounded reservoir may be
estimated as shown below using the values of m and 9 (/3)obtained from the
Homer plot and the MBH curves. 3 From Equation 6-21 for tp+At
At
_ 1.0,

qJ(pi) - qJ(~) -- 57"920 • lO6qscTpsc [ 47rtDa F 1

khTsc 2.303 2.303 (6-22)

where Eq. 6-22 is the defining equation qJ (/3). The material balance equation
may be written in terms of pseudopressure with substitution for dimensionless
quantities as

O.O002637ktp
tDA = (6-23)
~#giCi A

ql(pi)
- qJ(PR) -- 57.920 • 106qscTpsc (4ZCtDA) (6-24)
kh Tsc \ 2.303 l
Subtracting Eq. 6-22 from Eq. 6-24 gives

F
*(/3) - q~(PR) -- m ~ (6-25)
2.303
or

F
*(PR) -- tp(/~) _ m ~ (6-26)
2.303
 Fundamentals of Pressure Buildup Analysis Methods 341

m is the absolute value of the slope of the straight-line section of the Homer
plot:

m - 57.920 x 106qsc__scTo (6-27)

kh Tsc
F is the MBH dimensionless pressure at tDA, and the tDA is the dimensionless
time:
O.O002637ktp
tDA - - (6-28)
dl) lZ g i c i A

t p is a pseudoproduction time in hours and is calculated using Eq. 6-17; ap(p*)

is the value of ~(pw~) corresponding to tp+At At ~
1' from the extrapolated
- -

semilog straight line. F may be obtained from Table B-1 or Figures B-1
through B-5 corresponding to the appropriate well reservoir configuration and
reservoir shape. Values of tDa may be calculated from Eq. 6-28. If the MBH
Figures B-1 through B-5 do not provide a particular configuration, F may be
calculated from Eq. 6-29 or 6-30, whichever is appropriate:

F = Irt(CAtDA) (6-29)

where CA is a shape factor and is obtained from Table B-2. For small tDA, that
is, the transient region of flow, the well is infinite-acting and value of F is

F -- 4rCtDA (6--30)

The second term on the fight-hand side of Eq. 6-15 is a correction term for
finite or bounded reservoirs that is based on material balance. Thus, for an
infinite reservoir,

*(-fiR) -- *(Pi) -- *(~9) (6-31)

where Pi is the initial reservoir pressure for a bounded or finite reservoir,

the procedure described above is applicable if toa can be calculated from a
knowledge of k, 49, tXgi, ci, and A. If, however, all of these parameters are not
known, the following method may be used to calculate * (PR).

Odeh and AI-Hussainy Method

This method 5 requires knowledge of 9(Pi). A brief description of this
method is given below.
Equation 6-24 may be written as

2.303
tDa - - ~ [ * ( p i ) - *(PR)] (6--32)
4yrm
342 Gas Well Testing Handbook

6.0
9 ". . i
L N m d ( m terms of P) ;
5.0- .............. Gas ( in terms of ........... J. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . _./e'...._~o,,,., t
i
C) qo = 0.05 i i ~ ..... I

o c~ [-"] qD = 0.10 i .._L~...'.'_: "_.[~_:_'." t,_o,,,

m
r162 r
9 4.0"
r ~--

E~ 3.0-

ii
a, 8 1.0--
.................... ............................... i ................................

i ;
0
0.01 0.1 1.0 10

tDA=[ 2.637 X 10"4 kt / q~/.ociA ]

Figure 6--15. MBH dimensionless pressure function for one well in the center
of a circle (after Odeh and AI-Hussainy, p. 61).5

Substituting Eq. 6-32 in Eq. 6-22 and rearranging gives

qJ(Pi)- ~(~9) qJ(Pi)- qJ(-fiR) F

(6-33)
m m 2.303

Figure 6-15 shows dimensionless pressure function F. Equation 6-33 may

also be obtained by arranging Eq. 6-26. The following steps are followed to
calculate qJ (fiR):

1. Assume a number of values for [qJ(pi) - qJ(-fiR)]/m.

2. Calculate corresponding values of toa from Eq. 6-32.
3. Choose the appropriate MBH curve, Figures B-1 through B-5 or Table
B-1.
4. Obtain values for F for the calculated values of toa.
5. Calculate [qJ(pi) - qs(/3)]/m using Eq. 6-33.
6. Plot [qJ(pi) - qJ(-~R)]/m versus [qJ(pi) -- qJ(/3)]/m.
7. Since qJ (Pi) is known, qJ(P) and m can be obtained from the Homer
plot. [qJ(pi) - qJ(-pg)]/m is easily obtained from the above plot. Hence
qJ (PR) can be calculated.
 Fundamentals of Pressure Buildup Analysis Methods 343

Ramey and Cobb Method

Ramey and Cobb 6 have described a method for directly calculating qJ (PR)
from a Homer plot. The solution yields

tp --I- A t ]
: eF (6-34)
At ~p( Pw s ) = ~ (-filr )

F may be calculated either from Eq. 6-29 or from Eq. 6-30, whichever is
appropriate. Thus q~(PR) may be read directly from the extrapolation of the
Homer straight line to a value of (tp + A t ) / A t determined from Eq. 6-34.

6.10 Other Methods for Analyzing Pressure Buildup

Test Data
Several other methods for analyzing pressure buildup data are available and
are reviewed in this section.

MDH Method
This method 3 also uses the MDH plot, but the method is limited to estimating
average reservoir pressure in a closed circular or square drainage region and to
wells operating at pseudo-steady-state before the buildup test. The following
equations and Figure 6-16 are used. Equation 6-9 can be written for large
producing times, that is, for t p >> At, to become

~ ( P i ) -- qJ(Pws) -- 57.920 x 1010qsc__s

~[log tp - log At] (6-35)
k h Tsc

Hence a plot of q~(Pws) versus At on semilogarithmic coordinates should give

a straight line of slope m, from which k h may be calculated. The apparent skin
factor s' may be obtained from Eq. 6-11. The average reservoir pseudopressure
qJ (PR) is obtained from Figure 5-12 for various shapes. The value of AtDe is
calculated at any chosen shut-in time At from

0.0002637kAt
AtDe = ~ll~giCir 2 (6-36)

A for noncircular geometry.

where r e2 _ _ -y
The corresponding value of A p D is obtained from Figure B-5. The average
reservoir pressure is then calculated from
m
~P(-PR) - qJ(pws) + ~ A Po (6-37)
1.151
344 Gas Well Testing Handbook

-4
2.637x 10 kt
~/~,i~;~
iDA --

Figure 6-16. Comparison of times required to reach the end of Horner and
MDH straight line (after Cobb and Smith). 7

where m - slope of the MDH semilog straight line and 7z (Pws) -- value of the
pseudopressure corresponding to the chosen shut-in time At from the straight
line.

Extended Muskat Method

This method was developed by Muskat 8'9 and essentially gives a straight
line for data that occur in the late-time region. The method requires plotting of
log[qJ (PR) -- qj (Pws)] versus At. If the plot is not a straight line, another value
of qJ(PR) is assumed, and the process is repeated. The method also requires
that At and its corresponding qJ (Pws) value be chosen in the range given by
the following relationship:

250dp# gcA 7 50Cb# gcA

< At < (6-38)
k - - k
 Fundamentals of Pressure Buildup Analysis Methods 345

Equation 6-38 may be used to estimate the beginning and end of the Muskat
straight line for closed square. Equation 6-38 may also be written as

0.066 < tDA <_ 0.2 (6--39)

where
0.0002637kAt
tDa -- (6-40)
~)lZgiCir2
The following equations are used to analyze late buildup data in terms of p2 s
and qJ (Pws).
Using bottom-hole pressure squared, Pws:
2

50"300x lO6qsclZgZPsc [ P Dint

2 (t PDA) ]
(6--41)
k -- h Tsc (p2 _ p2s) At=0
k
q~ -- -0.0559 (slope, lOgl0 cycle/hr) (6-42)
-~gA
-0.00233k
A - (for closed square) (6-43)
4~-ff~ c m M
-0.00233k
= (for a square with constant pressure boundary) (6-44)
4~-ff~ c m M

Using the pseudopressure approach, qJ (Pws)"

k_ 50.3O x lO6qscTpsc [ tltDint(tpDA) ] (6M5)

h Tsc ( ~P(-fiR ) - ~P( Pws) ) Zx,=o
k
~bc = - 0 . 0 5 5 9 (slope, lOgl0 cycle/hr) (6-46)
lzgA
-0.00471k
A = (6-47)
4)tXgC m M

where PDint(tpDa)
2 * o r ~Dint(tpDa )** can be found from Table 6-4, and
- Pw~)At=0 or [qJ(Pg) -- ~(Pw)]At=O is the intercept from the Muskat
plot. The slope may also be estimated from the Muskat data plot:

log (if2 _ p2s) 2 _ log (p2 _ p2s) 1 cycle/hr

Slope- Atl - At2
or

2
log [qj (if2 _ Pws)]2 - l ~ qJ(Pw)]l
Slope = cycle/hr
At1 -- At2
346 Gas Well Testing Handbook

Table 6-4
Muskat Dimensionless Intercept Pressure 8

Constant pressure Closed

boundary system* square system**
tpDA p2in t (tPDA) ~ Dint (tpDA )

0.001 0.0265 0.0265

0.002 0.0520 0.0520
0.003 0.0760 0.0760
0.004 0.100 0.100
0.005 0.126 0.126
0.006 0.140 0.140
0.007 0.168 0.168
0.008 0.195 0.195
0.009 0.220 0.220
0.01 0.240 0.240
0.02 0.440 0.440
0.03 0.600 0.500
0.04 0.725 0.550
0.05 0.850 0.583
0.06 0.900 0.615
0.07 0.968 0.630
0.08 1.035 0.645
0.09 1.098 0.658
0.10 1.160 0.670
0.20 1.340 0.670
0.30 1.340 0.670
0.40 1.340 0.670
0.50 1.340 0.670
0.60 1.340 0.670
0.70 1.340 0.670
0.80 1.340 0.670
0.90 1.340 0.670
1.00 1.340 0.670

9Ramey, Kumar, and Gulati (1973) 1~

9 ,Ramey and Cobb (1971) 6

0.0002637ktp
tPDA --
~)#gcA
2
A -- rcr e

Area- acre x 43,560 sq ft

Table 6 - 4 shows the data for both systems. For the closed-square system:
2
PDint (tpDA < 0.1) i 0.67 or ~IIDint(tpD A < 0.1) -- 0.67 (6-47a)
 Fundamentals of Pressure Buildup Analysis Methods 347

Figure 6-17. Desuperposition for the slider plot (after Slider). 11

If producing time exceeds the time to pseudo-steady-state, then for the constant-
pressure boundary system, Eq. 6-47a is applicable:

PDint(tpDA > 0.20) = 1.34

(6.47b)
qIDint(tpDA > 0 . 2 0 ) = 1.34

When producing time exceeds the time required to reach steady state, Eq.
6-47b is applicable.

Slider Method
The middle-time buildup data may be analyzed by using the approach pro-
posed by Slider 11'12 and is illustrated by Figure 6-17. The drawdown behavior
can be extrapolated as shown by the dotted line. This may be done either by
type curve matching or by the use of appropriate equations. Equation 6-35
applies prior to the pseudo-steady-state (t < tp); Eq. 6-36 applies thereafter.

57.900 x 106qscTPsc
~P(Pi) - tp (Pwf) =
kh Tsc

x log t + log
~lZgiCi r2
- 3.23 + 0.869s' ]
(6-48)
348 Gas Well Testing Handbook

2348qscTt 3.263 • 106qscT

* ( P i ) -- qJ (Pwf) - - +
7r~ lZgiCir2 h kh

x log + (6--49)
rw 2.303

The desuperposed pseudopressure [qJ(Pws)- qJ(Pwfp)] at any shut-in time

At is obtained by subtracting the extrapolated drawdown, ~P(Pwfp), from the
measured buildup pseudopressure, qJ(Pws). This desuperposed pressure, if
plotted against log At, should give a straight line of slope m given
by Eq. 6-50:

57.920 x 106qscTPsclZgZ
m -- (6-50)
kh Tsc
or

57.920 x 106qscTpsclZgZ
kh = (6-51)
m Tsc
The intercept is given by Eq. 6-51:

ql(Plhr) --
[
m log
r
-- - 2 - 3.2275 + 0.8685s
1 (6-52)

The skin factor is estimated from

s -- 1.151
m
- log ( ~b~gKrw2
) + 3.23 ] (6-53)

Dietz Method
Dietz 13 suggested extrapolating the straight-line portion of an MDH plot
(Pws versus log At) directly to P. The Dietz approach assumes that the well
has been produced at a constant rate long enough to reach pseudo-steady-
state before shut-in, and that a semilog straight line of appropriate slope will
develop. Dietz determined the time when P may be read directly from the
extrapolated semilog straight line:

--ffcircle - - ~)#gC t A
0.0002637CAk (6-54)

For a well centrally located in a closed square drainage area:

CA --" 30.8828,
 Fundamentals of Pressure Buildup Analysis Methods 349

SO

(At)-Psq .... - - 122.8 ~)IZgctA (6-55t

The use of various methods to analyze pressure buildup data is illustrated in

Example 6-2.

Example 6-226 Average Reservoir Pressure Computation Using Various

Methods
A pressure-buildup test was performed on a gas well in a finite reservoir.
Data obtained were as follows (see Table 6-5): qsc = 10 mmscfd, cumulative
gas produced, qsc - 105 scfd; T - 6050 R; z - 0.850; mgi - 0.12 cP;
ci = 0.000436 psi-l; h = 54 ft; ~b = 18%; rw = 0.3333 ft; well spacing =
640 acres.
Assuming the well is in the center of a circle, compute the reservoir pressure
in the drainage area of the well assuming finite boundary conditions:

1. Using the Homer or MBH method

2. Using the M D H method
3. Using the Ramey and Cobb method
4. Using the Dietz method

Table 6-5
Pressure Buildup Test Data

Shut-in time Well pressure P2ws

At (hr) Pws (psia) tp WAt
At
(mmpsiaZ)

0 1742 n 3.035
1 1865 2401 3.478
3 1979 801 3.917
6 2023 401 4.093
10 2054 241 4.219
15 2079 161 4.322
22 2102 110 4.418
34 2128 71.6 4.528
45 2145 54.3 4.601
65 2170 37.9 4.709
126 2190 20.0 4.796
350 Gas Well Testing Handbook

6.0 I ! i

~ P * = 2375 ~sia ' " "

5.5 - ~ _ / v(Pn) = 5.64 m m p s i a 2/cP or PR = 2,328 psia

~ ~ _ --Y-, . . . . 7-- . . . . -5
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . !. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .J . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . J. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5.O - i i
/ ', ~ i i
/ ',
I ' ,
i

~ 4.o .................. 1 ! i ~ ~ ........

, ,, %
3 95 m = 0.6 mmpsia 2 / cP / cycle i !1,
kh = 1678.29 mD-ft i ~',
k = 31.08 mD i, ** ~_,._ ....
3.0 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1. . . . . . . . . .
'. I

2.5 i i i

20 ', i i
0.1 1 10 100 1000 10000

( tp + At ) / At

Figure 6--18. Pressure buildup curve, Horner's plotmExample 6-2.

Solution Calculate pseudoproducing time using Eq. 6-17:

24Qp 24 • 105
tp = = = 2400 hr
qsc 1000

1. Solution Procedure for H o m e r and M B H M e t h o d

F r o m Figure 6 - 1 8

(5.05 - 4.45) 106

m - - 6.0 • 105psia2/cycle
log 1 0 0 - log 10
p2, 5.64 • 106psia 2 +-~ p * - 2 3 7 5 psia

Calculate k using Eq. 6-10"

57.920 • 103 • qscTPsclZZ

kh-
mTsc
For q~c - 10 m s c f d - 0.01 mmscfd, T - 605~ Psc - - 14.65, Tsc =
520~ - 0.12 cP, z - 0.85.

57.920 • 106 • 10 • 605 • 14.65 • 0.12 • 0.85

kh-
6.0 • 106 x 520
 Fundamentals of Pressure Buildup Analysis Methods 351

= 1678.290 mD-ft
k - 1678.29/54 - 31.08 mD

Also,

re - -
~ 640 x 43,560 x 7
22 2978 ft

Calculate dimensionless time using Eq. 6-40:

0.0002637 x ktp
tDa - -
r A
0.0002637 • 31.08 • 2400
= = 0.075
0.18 x 0.12 x 0.000436 x 640 x 43,560
From Figure B-8 using 0.075, the ordinate (MBH dimensionless
pressure function) reads as 0.85, and thus
0.5
__ [ / ~ 2 0.85 X m
~R
L 2.3
0.85 x 6.0 x 10510.5
- [5.64 x 1 0 6 - -- 2328 psia
2.3 J
2. MDH Method
Figure 6-19 presents a Miller-Dyes-Hutchinson (MDH) type buildup
graph for data of Example 6-2. The appearance of the graph is similar
to that of the Homer graph, i.e., MBH (see Figure 6-18). The slope m
of the straight-line portion is 5.9 x 105 psiaZ/cycle (from MDH graph);
the P l h r is exactly the same, i.e., 1903 psia.

57.920 x 106 x 10 x 605 x 14.65 x 0.12 x 0.85

kh-
5.9x 105x520
= 1736.16 mD - ft
k - 31.61 mD

The difference in permeability between the two methods is only 2%.

p2 2
s -- 1.151 lhr - - Pwfo _ log ~ -
m r ~- 3.23

= 1.151[ (3.625.9--x3"03)106105

-log
( 31.61
0.18 x 0.12 x 0.000436 x 0.332
) 4- 3.23
]
= - 3 . 7 5 (well improvement)
352 Gas Well Testing Handbook

Figure 6--19. MDH graph--Example 6-2.

3. Ramey and Cobb Method

Calculate the value of F from Eq. 6-29"

F -- In(CAtDA)

where CA is shape f a c t o r - 31.62 (from Table B-2)

0.0002637kt/,
tDa --
OlzcA
0.0002637 x 31.61 x 2400
= 0.076
0.18 x 0.12 x 0.000436 x 640 x 43,560
9F -- In(31.62 x 0.076) --0.877

Using Equation 6-34:

(t/, + A t ) =eV=eO.8972.40
At Pws=PR

Reading directly from the extrapolation of the Homer straight line to a

value of 2.40 will give
p2 s _ ff2 = 5.4 x 106 psia 2

PR -- 2324 psia.
 Fundamentals of Pressure Buildup Analysis Methods 353

4. Dietz Method
Calculate time when T may be read directly from the extrapolated
semilog straight line from the MDH plot using Eq. 6-40"

dplZgCt A
(A)~ -
0.0002637CAk
0.18 • 0.12 • 0.000436 • 640 x 43,560
= = 996.12 hr
0.0002637 • 31.62 • 31.61

Reading directly from the extrapolated of the MDH straight line to a

value of 996.12 hr will give

Pw2s - --~R -- 5.39 • 106 psia (see Figure 6-19)

PR -- 2322 psia

6.11 Pressure Behavior Analysis and Estimating

Formation Characteristics

Buildup Following a Two-Rate Drawdown Test

The analysis of a buildup that follows a two-rate drawdown can yield values
of kh that provide a check on the results of a drawdown analysis. The flow rate
and time sequences used to develop multirate drawdown analysis still apply,
but with a slight modification. A well is flowed at a rate qscl up to time tl, at
a rate qsc2 up to time, t, and then shut in. The shut-in time is represented, as
before, by At. Using this notation, Eq. 4-50 may be modified to represent the
buildup period as

57.920 • 106qscl Tps c

qJ (Pi ) -- qJ (Pws) --
kh Tsc

x
Elog(t + At) + log
( dPl~giCir2

57.920 x 106 (qsca - qscl) Tpsc

) - 3.23
]
+
kh T~c

x
Elog(t + At + tl) + l o g

57.920 x 106 (0 -- qsc2) TPsc

( ~lXgiCir~
) -- 3.23
]
+
kh Tsc
x[logAt+log( k 2 ) - 3.23 ]
dP#giCir (6-56)
354 Gas Well Testing Handbook

Combining these terms and simplifying Eq. 6-56 gives

57.920xlO6qsc1Tpsc[( t+At )
qJ (Pi ) -- ~ (Pws) -- k h Tsc log t + At + tl
+qsc21~
t-+-Atqscl At--tl)l (6-57)

Hence a plot of

t + A t )qsc2+ log(t+At-tl)
(Pws) versus log (
t + A t - tl qsr At
on arithmetic coordinates should give a straight line of slope m from which
permeability is calculated as

57.920 x 106qsclTPsc
k= (6-58)
m T~ch
Calculate the skin factors from
I-

s -- 1.151 | qscl ~(Plhr) -- ~(Pwsl) ] -- log ( k ) nt- 3.23]

/ (qscl - qsc2) m ~l~giC i
(6-59)

The following equations can be used to estimate the pressure drop across the
skin at rates qscl and qsc2, respectively. Thus, at qscl,

~(Ap)skin = 0.869(--m)(s) (6-60)

and at qsc2,
~ ( Ap)s~in - 0.869( qsc2"] (-m)(s) (6-61)
- qscl
/ \

Having found values for k and s, one may now proceed to determine p*. The
flowing bottom-hole pressure in a well at a time tl can be expressed as

57.920 x 106qsclTp~c
tp (Pwf) = tp ( P i ) --
kh T~c
x log Ck#giCir2 - 3.23 + 0.869s (6-62)

By setting tp (Pi) -- qJ (/3) and rearranging Eq. 6-63, we have

9(P*) - tP(Pwf) + (-m) log kckl~giCi - 3.23 + 0.869s (6-63)

 Fundamentals of Pressure Buildup Analysis Methods 355

For a bounded reservoir, q~(/3) may be used as described before to calculate

~P(PR).

Example 6--326 Buildup Following a Two-Rate Drawdown TestAnalysis f o r

Gas Well
The gas well is tested for 6 hr at a rate of 2.397 mmscfd and finally by produc-
ing for a further 6 hr at a rate of 5.214 mmscfd. The pressures recorded during
the flowing and closed-in periods are listed in Table 6-6. The well/reservoir
data are as follows"

PI -- 3965 psia ~ lP(pi) -- 861.12 mmpsia2/cp;

PR -- 3700 psia ~ ~(PR) - 772.00 mmpsia2/cp;
h - 41 ft; re - 2200 ft; rw - 0.4271 ft; T -- 710 ~
CHC -- 0.119 fraction; ~ -- 0.02345 cP, ? -- 0.00027 psi-l;
Tsc -- 5200 R;
P ~ c - 14.65 psia; and cumulative p r o d u c t i o n - 11.382 mmscf.

1. From the pressure buildup determine k and s'1.

2. From the flow tests determine k, s '1, s 2,
' and hence D, true skin factor s,
and deliverability constants A and B. Develop an inflow (IPR) curve for
this gas well. Use the same reservoir and well data given in Example 6-1.

Solution Table 6-7 shows pressure drawdown test data.

Since the fluid properties are the same as in Example 6-1, all other data
presented in Example 6-1 can be used in the current example.

11.382 x 24
Pseudoproducing time tp -- = 44.432 hr
6.148

1. Buildup Analysis
For a flowing time of 147.12 hr, the data necessary to draw the Homer
buildup plot are listed in Table 6-7. The corresponding build-up plot
is shown in Figure 6-20, from which the slope has been determined as
m - 21.0 psia2/cP/cycle and using Eq. 6-10, permeability k as

57.92 x 106 x 6.148 x 710 x 14.65

k -- = 8.27 mD
21 x 106 x 520 x 41

(text continued on page 361)

356 Gas Well Testing Handbook

Table 6-6
Pressure Buildup Test Data

tp+At
Time At At Pws Pws r r Radius
(hr) (psig) (psia) (mmpsia2/cp) (mmpsia2/cp) r, (ft)
(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7)
0.00 1720 1735 204.35 0.00 0
0.02 2666.92 1723 1738 204.96 0.61 16
0.03 1333.96 1733 1747 207.12 2.77 22
0.07 667.48 1773 1788 216.16 11.81 31
0.10 445.32 1803 1818 223.10 21.83 38
0.13 334.24 1854 1869 234.89 33.62 44
0.17 267.59 1911 1925 248.28 47.01 49
0.25 178.73 2014 2028 273.44 72.17 60
0.33 134.30 2120 2135 300.34 99.07 69
0.50 89.86 2297 2312 347.09 145.82 85
0.75 60.24 2601 2615 432.19 230.92 104
1.00 45.43 2805 2819 492.58 291.31 120
1.50 32.62 3132 3146 593.35 392.07 147
2.00 23.22 3295 3310 645.38 444.11 170
2.50 18.77 3335 3350 658.17 456.89 190
3.00 15.81 3352 3366 663.42 462.14 208
3.50 13.69 3368 3382 668.65 467.37 225
4.00 12.11 3370 3385 669.42 468.14 240
4.83 12.11 3370 3385 669.42 468.14 240
4.83 10.19 3377 3391 671.52 470.24 264
5.O0 9.89 3382 3397 673.23 471.96 269
5.5O 9.08 3388 3403 675.21 473.93 282
6.00 8.41 3393 3407 676.66 475.38 294
6.50 7.84 3397 3411 677.96 476.68 306
7.00 7.35 3400 3415 679.15 477.88 318
7.50 6.92 3404 3418 680.32 479.04 329
8.00 6.55 3406 3421 681.13 479.85 340
8.50 6.23 3410 3425 682.30 481.02 350
9.00 5.94 3413 3428 683.37 482.09 360
9.50 5.68 3417 3432 684.66 483.39 370
10.00 5.44 3421 3436 685.99 484.72 380
10.50 5.23 3425 3440 687.32 486.05 389
11.00 5.04 3429 3443 688.36 487.08 398
11.50 4.86 3432 3447 689.43 488.16 407
12.00 4.70 3434 3448 689.95 488.68 416
12.50 4.55 3436 451 690.86 489.59 425
13.00 4.42 3438 3453 691.55 490.27 433
13.50 4.29 3441 3456 692.46 491.18 441
14.00 4.17 3444 3459 693.40 492.12 449
14.50 4.06 3447 3461 694.18 492.90 457
 Fundamentals of Pressure Buildup Analysis Methods 357

Table 6-6 (Continued)

tp+At
Time At At ews Pws ~b(Pws) ~2(APws) Radius
(hr) (psig) (psia) (mmpsia2/cp) (mmpsia2/cp) r, (ft)
(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7)
15.00 3.96 3449 3464 694.96 493.68 465
15.50 3.87 3452 3466 695.88 494.62 473
16.00 3.78 3454 3468 696.53 495.27 480
16.50 3.69 3456 3471 697.31 496.06 488
17.00 3.61 3458 3473 697.86 496.61 495
17.50 3.54 3461 3475 698.77 497.52 502
18.00 3.47 3462 3477 699.29 498.04 509
18.50 3.40 3465 3479 700.11 498.85 516
19.00 3.34 3467 3481 700.76 499.51 523
19.50 3.28 3469 3483 701.41 500.16 530
20.00 3.22 3471 3486 702.22 500.97 537
20.50 3.17 3473 3488 702.75 501.49 544
21.00 3.12 3474 3489 703.14 501.88 550
21.50 3.07 3477 3491 703.92 502.67 557
22.00 3.02 3478 3493 704.47 503.22 563
22.50 2.97 3480 3494 704.99 503.74 570
23.00 2.93 3481 3496 705.52 504.26 576
23.50 2.89 3482 3497 705.78 504.53 582
24.00 2.85 3485 3499 706.59 505.34 588
24.50 2.81 3486 3501 706.98 505.73 594
25.0O 2.78 3487 3502 707.38 506.12 600
26.00 2.71 3491 3505 708.58 507.33 612
27.00 2.65 3494 3509 709.76 508.51 624
28.00 2.59 3497 3512 710.71 509.45 635
29.00 2.53 3500 3515 711.62 510.37 647
30.00 2.48 3503 3518 712.53 511.28 658
31.00 2.43 3506 3521 713.61 512.26 669
32.00 2.39 3509 3524 714.66 513.41 679
33.00 2.35 3511 3526 715.21 513.96 690
34.00 2.31 3514 3529 716.26 515.01 760
35.00 2.27 3517 3532 717.21 515.96 710
36.00 2.23 3519 3533 717.73 516.48 720
37.00 2.20 3522 3536 718.65 517.40 730
38.00 2.17 3523 3538 719.17 517.92 740
39.00 2.14 3526 3541 720.12 518.87 750
40.00 2.22 3529 3544 721.17 519.92 759
41.00 2.08 3531 3546 721.72 520.47 769
42.00 2.06 3534 3548 722.64 521.39 778
43.00 2.03 3536 3550 723.30 522.04 787
44.00 2.01 3539 3553 724.25 522.99 797
45.00 1.99 3540 3555 724.77 523.52 806
358 Gas Well Testing Handbook

Table 6 - 6 (Continued)

tp+At
Time At At Pws ews r r Radius
(hr) (psig) (psia) (mmpsiaZ/cP) (mmpsiaZ/cP) r, (ft)
(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7)
46.00 1.97 3543 3557 725.56 524.31 814
47.00 1.95 3445 3560 726.38 525.12 823
48.00 1.93 3547 3561 726.90 525.65 832
49.00 1.91 3549 3564 727.69 526.44 841
50.00 1.89 3551 3566 728.38 527.12 849
51.00 1.87 3552 3567 728.64 527.39 858
52.00 1.85 3555 3570 729.56 528.31 866
53.00 1.84 3559 3571 730.08 528.83 874
54.00 1.82 3560 3574 730.90 529.65 882
55.00 1.81 3663 3575 731.30 530.04 891
56.00 1.79 3565 3578 732.22 530.96 899
57.00 1.78 3567 3580 732.91 531.65 907
58.00 1.77 3568 3581 733.43 532.18 915
59.00 1.75 3570 3583 733.96 532.70 922
60.00 1.74 3572 3585 734.48 533.23 930
61.00 1.73 3574 3587 735.17 533.92 938
62.00 1.72 3576 3589 735.96 534.71 946
63.00 1.71 3578 3590 736.35 535.10 953
64.00 1.69 3579 3592 737.04 535.79 961
65.00 1.68 3580 3594 737.57 536.32 968
66.00 1.67 3583 3595 737.83 536.58 976
67.00 1.66 3584 3597 738.62 537.37 983
68.00 1.65 3586 3599 739.18 537.93 990
69.00 1.64 3588 3601 739.84 538.59 997
70.00 1.63 3589 3602 740.36 539.11 1005
71.00 1.63 3592 3604 740.89 539.64 1012
72.00 1.62 3592 3606 741.58 540.33 1019
73.00 1.61 3594 3607 741.84 540.59 1026
74.00 1.60 3596 3609 742.50 541.25 1033
75.00 1.59 3598 3611 743.16 541.91 1040
76.00 1.58 3599 3613 743.72 542.47 1047
77.00 1.58 3600 3614 744.12 542.86 1054
78.00 1.57 3604 3615 744.51 543.26 1061
79.00 1.56 3604 3618 745.60 544.34 1067
80.00 1.56 3606 3619 745.73 544.48 1074
81.00 1.55 3607 3621 746.39 545.13 1081
82.00 1.54 3609 3622 746.78 545.53 1087
83.00 1.54 3611 3624 747.31 546.06 1094
84.00 1.53 3612 3625 747.87 546.62 1101
85.00 1.52 3613 3626 748.26 547.01 1107
86.00 1.52 3615 3628 748.79 547.54 1114
 Fundamentals of Pressure Buildup Analysis Methods 359

Table 6-6 (Continued)

tph-At
Time At At Pws Pws ~b( Pws ) ~ ( A Pws) Radius
(hr) (psig) (psia) (mmpsiaZ/cP) (mmpsia2/cp) r, (ft)
(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7)
87.00 1.51 3616 3630 749.32 548.07 1120
88.00 1.50 3618 3631 749.71 548.46 1126
89.00 1.50 3619 3632 750.14 548.98 1133
90.00 1.49 3621 3634 750.67 549.42 1139
91.00 1.49 3624 3635 751.20 549.95 1145
92.00 1.48 3624 3638 752.15 550.90 1152
93.00 1.48 3625 3639 752.42 551.17 1158
94.00 1.47 3628 3640 752.68 551.43 1164
95.00 1.47 3628 3642 753.47 552.22 1170
96.00 1.46 3692 3643 753.74 552.49 1177
97.00 1.46 3631 3644 753.94 552.81 1183
98.00 1.45 3633 3645 754.63 553.18 1189
99.00 1.45 3635 3647 755.09 553.84 1195
100.00 1.44 3637 3650 755.88 554.63 1201
101.00 1.44 3640 3651 756.44 555.19 1207
102.00 1.44 3642 3654 757.50 556.25 1213
103.00 1.43 3644 3656 758.16 556.91 1219
104.00 1.43 3644 3658 758.72 557.47 1225
105.33 1.42 3644 3659 758.99 557.73 1232
106.00 1.42 3641 3659 758.85 557.60 1236
107.00 1.42 3644 3656 758.03 556.78 1242
109.00 1.41 3644 3658 758.72 557.47 1254
111.00 1.40 3644 3659 758.99 557.73 1265
113.00 1.39 3648 3661 759.65 558.39 1276
115.00 1.39 3651 3663 760.27 559.02 1288
117.00 1.38 3654 3666 761.26 560.01 1299
119.00 1.37 3656 3668 762.06 560.81 1310
121.00 1.37 3659 3671 762.98 561.73 1321
123.00 1.36 3662 3674 763.81 562.56 1332
125.00 1.36 3666 3676 764.74 563.48 1343
127.00 1.35 3666 3681 766.22 564.97 1353
129.00 1.34 3669 3683 766.89 565.63 1364
131.00 1.34 3669 3684 767.15 565.90 1374
133.00 1.33 3673 3684 767.15 565.90 1385
135.00 1.33 3677 3688 768.51 567.25 1395
137.00 1.32 3678 3691 769.73 568.48 1406
139.00 1.32 3680 3693 770.13 568.88 1416
141.00 1.32 3682 3695 770.92 569.67 1426
143.00 1.31 3685 3696 771.32 570.07 1436
145.00 1.31 3686 3700 772.41 571.16 1446
147.12 1.30 3686 3700 772.68 571.43 1446
360 Gas Well Testing Handbook

Table 6-7
P r e s s u r e D r a w d o w n Test D a t a

First flow rate Second flow rate

qsc = 2.397 m m s c f d qscz = 5.214 m m s c f d

Flowing time t Pwf ~2(Pwf) Pwf ~;(Pwf)

(hr) (psia) (mmpsiaZ/cP) (psia) (mmpsia~/cP)

0.02 3609 742.50 3577 732.08

0.03 3544 721.30 3455 692.04
0.07 3480 700.37 3300 642.12
0.10 3440 687.30 3183 604.88
0.13 3385 669.52 3040 560.03
0.17 3347 657.11 2956 534.07
0.25 3270 632.62 2826 494.52
0.33 3224 618.00 2757 473.82
0.50 3173 601.65 2710 459.77
0.75 3142 591.82 2714 461.07
1.00 3130 588.23 2652 442.94
1.50 3145 592.95 2611 431.01
2.00 3128 587.48 2602 428.43
2.50 3130 588.10 2595 426.41
3.00 3134 589.39 2590 424.91
4.00 3137 590.27 2580 421.97
5.00 3140 591.28 2573 419.95
6.00 3144 592.45 2567 418.12

Slope, m = 21.0 mmpsia 2 / cP / cycle I

900
] [ ~(Pws)] lh~= 650.0 mmpsia2/cP I x~ ."
750
g~
[
o 500 - . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . t. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -~" . . . . . . . . . . . ~. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
oo [ qJ(Pwfo)201.25mmpsia/cP 2
[ ,,*
~ i
i
450 I . I ,o ~ .
I i~ ~ [ ~g(P ) = 861.1 mmpsia2/cP
300 - ................... J'-'-O"C'~'~'v" ................. [ gt(Pi)= 8 6 1 . 1 m m p s i a Z / cP .........

~~ i [ ~g(PR)= 772.0 mmpsia2/cP

==,,,~ i [ k= 8.27 mD
150 .... i / .....
,I I,
I I
, o
I I
, o
o I I

1ooo 100 10 1
(t + At ) / At

Figure 6-20. Horner buildup data p l o t - - E x a m p l e 6 - 3 .

 Fundamentals of Pressure Buildup Analysis Methods 361

(text continued from page 355)

From Eq. 6-11"

s' - 1.151F650.0- 201.25

L 21

- log 0.119 x 0.02345 x 0.00023 x 0.42712 + 3.23

= 16.75

2. Flow Analysis
Plots of ~p(Pwf) versus log t for the data listed in Table 6-7 are shown
as Figures 6-21 and 6-22, from which the following information is
obtained. From Figure 6-21, first flow rate = 2.397 mmscfd; m l =
17.9 mmpsia2/cP/cycle; and ~ ( P l h r ) -- 535.15 mmpsia2/cp. From
Eq. 6-10;

1.632 x 106 x 2 . 3 9 7 x 7 1 0
kl - = 3.78 m D
17.9 x 106 x 41

800 i
.
i
11 i I

", \ i i
750 9~'N, i q,c = 2 . 3 9 7 m m s c f d i

""N, i
............................... ~ .............................. i. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

k / = 3.78 m d
?~ 650

i i
i i
600 - ............................... ~. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . i ..............................

........ ! ................... , I
................................ ....................................... t o.~,
500 ................................. ! ............................... ! .............. -~ ..............

!i t *4.

400 i ~' ,,
0.01 0.1 1 10
Shut-in time t, hours

Figure 6-21. Transient flow analysis of first flow period (2.397 mmscfd)--
Example 6-3.
362 Gas Well Testing Handbook

750 i i
"* i q,c = 5.214 mmscfd i
700

............. ~ . . . . ~Slope, m2 = 17.9mmpsia2/cP/cycle l ............................

650 -

600
Ce~
550 - . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ~ . . . . . . . . .

600

~- 450 - . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . j .......................... ' ...............................

, ~
400

350 - ............. . . . . . . . . . 44~ . 4 n sia , p ......... {,. . . . . . . . ~,~..............

300 , i
).01 0.1 1 10

L o g t i m e t, h o u r

Figure 6-22. Transient flow analysis of second flow period (5.214 mmscfd) m
Example 6-3.

F r o m Eq. 6 - 1 1 ,

-- 1 151V ( 8 6 1 . 1 2 - 5 3 5 . 1 5 ) • 106
Stl
" L 17.9 x 106

-log 0 . 1 1 9 x 0 . 0 2 3 4 5 x 0 . 0 0 0 2 3 x 0.42712 +3.23 -- 16.03

F r o m F i g u r e 6 - 2 2 , s e c o n d flow rate - 5 . 2 1 4 m m s c f d ; m2 - 17.2

m m p s i a Z / c P / c y c l e , and ~ ( P l h r ) - - 4 4 2 . 9 4 m m p s i a Z / c R F r o m Eq. 6 - 1 0 ;

1.632 x 106 x 5 . 2 1 4 x 710

k2 -- -- 8.57 m D
17.2 • 106 • 41

F r o m Eq. 6 - 1 1 ,

-- 1 151F ( 8 6 1 " 1 2 - 442"94) • 106

s~
9 L 17.2 • 106

- log 0 . 1 1 9 x 0 . 0 2 3 4 5 x 0 . 0 0 0 2 3 x 0.42712 +3.23 -- 22.65

Finally, s and D can be calculated by solving the equations

!
S 1 - - S -~- D q s c l
!
s 2 -- s + Dqsc2
 Fundamentals of Pressure Buildup Analysis Methods 363

or

16.03 - s + D (2.397)
22.65 -- s + D (5.214)

From Eq. 5-48,

D -- Sl' - s2'
= 16.03 - 22.65 = 2.3500 • 10 - 6 mmscfd- 1
qscl - qsc2 2.397 - 5.214
From Eq. 5-49,

s ~ s '1 - Dqscl - 16.03 - 2.35 x 10 -6 • 2.397 x 106 10.40

indicating the well is damaged.

From Eq. 5-115,

A m 6 T P S C [ k h log (0.472re)rw + 2.303s ]

1 1 5 " 8 2 x l OTsc

_ 115.82 x 106(710)(14.65)
_ log + 10.40]
8.27(41)(520) 0.4271 2.303

= 54.187485 x 106 psiaZ/cP

mmscfd
and
50.30 x 106TPsc D
n
k h T~c
50.30 x 10 6 (710) (14.65)
(2.35)
8.27(41)(520)

-- 6.997435 • 106 psia2/cP

mmscfd 2
Hence the deliverability equation is
6 2
~r(-fiR) -- ~ ( P w f ) -- 54.187485 X 106qsc + 6.997435 X 10 qsc

Solving the quadratic equation, the value of A O F is calculated as

- A + v/A2 + 4B(ap(ffR))
AOF =
2B
-54.187485 • 106 + V/(54.187485) 2 + 4(6.997435 • 106)(772.00 • 106)
2(6.997435 x 106)
102.478921
= 7.32 mmscfd
13.994870
364 Gas Well Testing Handbook

Table 6-8
Predicted Long-Term Gas Deliverability Calculations

Bottom-hole pressure ~(Pwf) Stabilized deliverability, qsc

(psia) (mmpsia2/cp) (mmscfd)
3700 772.00 0.00
3500 706.80 0.63
3000 547.65 2.15
2500 399.17 3.57
2000 266.41 4.82
1500 155.04 5.87
1250 109.14 6.30
1000 70.63 6.66
750 40.06 6.94
500 17.90 7.15
400 11.47 7.21
200 2.88 7.26
100 0.74 7.31
14.65 0.00 7.32

The predicted long-term gas deliverability equation is

6 2
~(ffR) -- ~ ( P w f ) --- 54.187485 • 106qsc - + - 6 . 9 9 7 4 3 5 • 10 qsc

Table 6 - 8 shows calculated values and Figure 6-23 illustrates IPR gas well
performance.

Example 6-4 26 Analyzing Two-Rate Buildup Test

The data are as follows: reservoir depth -- 6550 ft; estimated initial reservoir
pressure = 4290 psia; T -- 200~ h - 50 ft; ~b = 0.15;/Zg - 0.0275; Sg =
58%; So - - 20 %; Sw - - 22%; Cg - 0.00022 psi -~', Co = 0.0003 psi -~', Cw -
0.0000035 psi -1", c f -- 0.0000039 psi -1", ct = 0.0003329 psi -1", rw = 0.30 ft;
Psc -- 14.65 psia; Tsc : 520~ drainage area = 100 acres; drainage radius -
1177.3 ft; ~ ( P w f o ) l = 585.28 mmpsia2/cp; ~p (Pwfo)2 - - 222.27 mmpsia/cP;
and cumulative production - 5.0 mmscf.

First stabilized rate before rate change - 40 mmscfd

Time to change the first gas rate to second rate - 8 hours
Second stabilized rate after rate change = 60 mmscfd
Pressure at time of rate change = 3570 psia

Determine k , s, ~(Ap)skin, and deliverability constants A and B, and develop

the inflow performance curve.
 Fundamentals of Pressure Buildup Analysis Methods 365

Table 6-9
First Flow Period Test Data

Flowing time, Log time Flowing pressure Pwf Flowing pressure Pwf
At, hr At (psia) (psia2/cp)
(1) (2) (3) (4)
0.75 3602 829.46E+06
1.00 0.00000 3596 827.39E+06
1.25 0.09689 3591 825.67E+06
1.50 0.17606 3587 824.29E+06
1.75 0.24299 3583 822.91E+06
2.00 0.30098 3580 821.88E+06
2.25 0.35212 3577 820.84E+06
2.50 0.39787 3575 820.15E+06
3.00 0.47704 3570 818.43E+06

Figure 6--23. Inflow performance curve for Example 6-3.

Solution The pseudopressure function is shown in Figure 6-24. See

Table 6-9 for first flow period test data.

From Figure 6-25, find the following:

Slope of the straight line m l - 16.64 mmpsia2/cP/cycle

Pseudopressure at 1 hr, ~(Plhr) -- 827.39 mmpsia2/cp
366 Gas Well Testing H a n d b o o k

1200

Reservoir temperature = 200 ~ F

1000 -

r "- 800 -
r,t}

fi~ 6 0 0 -

,-~ 4 0 0 -
~,'
,5
~- 2 0 0 - ~ , "A

0
0 1 2 3 4 5
P,,f psia

Figure 6-24. Real gas pseudopressures.

850

Flow rate = 40 mmscfd

840 -- k = 51.94 md
O s / = 10.08
t',l
.,-.i
, 830- I t 14/(P)l hr-- 827.39
~~.~.#~ mmpsia2/cp

,,_r,
820-
&
810 - !I Slopem = 16.64
i mmpsia2/cP/cycle
I
I
800
-0.2 -0.1 0 0.10 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5
L o g time t

Figure 6-25. Transient flow analysis--First plot flow period.

 Fundamentals of Pressure Buildup Analysis Methods 367

1200 Flow rate = 40 mmscfd

1100 q~(P~) - 1068

k = 53.45 mD
1080 m s = 10.30
r/l

t~ 1060 - -
~-~~,~. , 1 hr

1040 m Slope m =
&
~" 1020

1000
1 10

Log (tp + At) / At

Figure 6-26. Pressure buildup test analysis.

From Eq. 5-40:

57.920 x 106 x 40 x 660 x 14.65

k = = 51.94 mD
16.64 x 106 • 520 x 50

From Eq. 5-41"

-- 1 151[ ( 8 2 7 . 3 9 - 585.28) • 106

) ]
s1
9 L 16.64 • 106
( 194
-log 0.15(0.0275i(0[-0-001329)0.32 + 3.23 - 10.08

From Fig. 6-26, find the following:

Slope of buildup's straight line me - 16.17 mmpsiae/cP/cycle

Pressure at 1 hr, Plhr -- 4255 psia
Pseudopressure at 1 hr ~p( P l h r ) -- 1057.0 mmpsiae/cp

Table 6-10 shows pressure buildup test data.

From Eq. 6-10:

57.92 x 106 • 40 x 660 x 14.65

k m = 53.45 mD
16.17 x 520 x 50
368 Gas Well Testing Handbook

Table 6-10
Pressure Buildup Test Data

Time Shut-in pressure Pseudopressure

te+At log tp+At
At Pwf ~(Pwf) At At
(hr) (psia) (psia z/cP)
(1) (2) (3) (4) (5)
0.50 4085 100.23E+07 7.00 0.8449
1.00 4240 105.70E+07 4.00 0.6020
1.50 4248 105.98E+07 3.00 0.4770
2.00 4252 106.13E+07 2.50 0.3979
2.50 4254 106.20E+07 2.20 0.3424
3.00 4256 106.27E+07 2.00 0.3010
3.50 4257 106.30E+07 1.86 0.2688
4.00 4259 106.38E+07 1.75 0.2430
5.00 4261 106.45E+07 1.60 0.2041
6.00 4262 106.48E+07 1.50 0.1761
7.00 4263 106.52E+07 1.43 0.1549
8.00 4264 106.55E+07 1.38 0.1383

Table 6-11
Second Flow Period Test Data

Flowing time, t Log t Flowing pressure, Pwf Flowing pressure

(hr) (hr) (psia) ~b(ewf) (psia2/cp)
(1) (2) (3) (4)
0.75 3076 649.20E+06
1.00 0.00000 3066 645.80E+06
1.25 0.09689 3059 643.43E+06
1.50 0.17606 3053 641.40E+06
1.75 0.24299 3048 639.70E+06
2.00 0.30098 3043 638.01E+06
2.25 0.35212 3038 636.31E+06
2.50 0.39787 3036 635.63E+06
3.00 0.47704 3029 633.26E+06

From Eq. 6-11"

- 1 151F ( 1 0 5 7 " 0 - 818.50) • 106

S
9 [ 16.17 x 106

- log 0"15(0"0275)(0"0001329)(0"3) 2 -- 10.30

Table 6-11 shows second flow period test data.

 Fundamentals of Pressure Buildup Analysis Methods 369

660

Flow rate = 60 mmscfd

670 k = 49.71 mD
s2 = 12.05

660 m

qJ (P) hr = 645.8 mmpsia2/cP

650 I
r

r
640 ;
E i
E
630 ---
...% '. Slope m = 26.08 mnlpsia2/cp/cycle

620 i

610

500 I I ! 1 i ,l
-0.2 0.1 0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5
Log time t

Figure 6-27. Transient flow analysis--second flow period.

F r o m Figure 6-27, find the following:

Slope of the straight line m2 -- 26.08 mmpsia2/cP/cycle

Pseudopressure at 1 hr ~p ( P l h r ) -- 645.80 mmpsia2/cp

F r o m Eq. 5-40,

57.920 x 106 x 60 x 660 x 14.65

k- = 49.71 m D
26.08 x 106 x 520 x 50
F r o m Eq. 5-41,

- 1 151F ( 6 4 5 " 8 0 - 222.28) • 106

$2
9 L 26.08 x 106
( 49.71 ) ]
-log 0.15(0.0275)(0.0001329)0.32 + 3.23
= 12.05
370 Gas Well Testing Handbook

Using Eq. 5-48, find the rate-dependent skin factor D"

1 0 . 0 8 - 12.05
O i -- 0.09850 mmscfd -1
40 - 60

Using Eq. 5-49, true skin factor

s - 10.08 - 0.0985 x 40 - 6.13

Pressure drop due to skin is

~(Ap)skin -- 0.869(26.08)(6.13) -- 138.93 mmpsia2/cp

For a square centered well, the Dietz shape factor is 30.8828. From Eq. 6-28,
the dimensionless time tDa is

0.0002637 (53.45) (8)

tDa= = 0.0472
(0.15)(0.0275)(0.0001329)(22/7 X 1177.32)

The value of tDA is small, indicating a transient region of flow; the well is
infinite acting and Eq. 6 - 3 0 can be used to calculate the M B H dimensionless
pressure function F:

F -- 4rCtDA -- 4(22/7)(0.0472) -- 0.5934

From Eq. 6-26 the reservoir pressure is

m 26.08
~P(PR) -- ~ ( P * ) - ~ ( F ) -- 1 0 7 0 - ~ ( 0 . 5 9 3 4 )
2.303 2.303
= 1063 mmpsia/cP

Calculate deliverability constants A and B using Eqs. 4-57 and 4-58, respec-
tively, as (see Table 6-12)"

A (04]rw
re) ,s

660
= 1.422 x 106
53.45 x 50 EIn .3 +6.13
]
= 47768.23E + 02
T 660
B- 1.422 x 1 0 6 ~ D - 1.422 x 106 (0.0985)
kh 53.45 x 50
= 34559.66E - 03
 Fundamentals of Pressure Buildup Analysis Methods 371

Table 6 - 1 2
Predicted Long-Term Gas Deliverability Calculations

Bottom hole Pseudopressure Pressure Flow rate Predicted

qgi ~b( Pwf )
pressure, (ewf) ~b(ewf) ratio, q-~ ratio, r flOWrate, qsc
(psia) (psia 2/cP) m m (mmscfd)
(1) (2) (3) (4) (5)

4273 106.34E+07 1.0000 0.00046 0.101

4200 103.75E+07 0.97521 0.02472 5.491
4000 967.32E+06 0.90925 0.09096 20.204
3800 897.86E+06 0.84395 0.15597 34.643
3600 828.77E+06 0.77901 0.22101 49.089
3400 759.94E+06 0.71431 0.28608 63.542
3200 691.43E+06 0.64991 0.35069 77.894
3000 623.45E+06 0.58602 0.41413 91.986
2800 556.38E+06 0.52297 0.47797 106.164
2600 490.66E+06 0.46120 0.53978 119.894
2400 426.84E+06 0.40122 0.59997 133.262
2200 365.53E+06 0.34358 0.65725 145.987
2000 307.34E+06 0.28888 0.71207 158.161
1800 252.89E+06 0.23771 0.76320 169.518
1600 202.79E+06 0.19061 0.81023 179.964
1400 157.57E+06 0.14811 0.85312 189.491
1200 117.72E+06 0.11065 0.89025 197.738
1000 835.73E+05 0.07855 0.92200 204.791
800 553.71E+05 0.05205 0.94884 210.752
600 331.80E+05 0.03119 0.96987 215.425
400 168.81E+05 0.1587 0.98515 218.817
AOF 14.73 671.30E+03 0.0000 1.00000 222.116

9If value of gas rate (calculated) at PAV = zero, then Pay (calc.) is correct.
9If value of gas rate (calculated) at PAy < zero, then decrease the value of
PAV.
9If value of gas rate (calculated) at Pay > zero, then increase the value of
PAy.

Average reservoir pressure gr(PR) - 1063.407 mmpsia2/cp or average reser-

voir pressure PR -- 4273 psia. Data are plotted in Figures 6 - 2 8 and 6-29.
The long-term deliverability equation is

2
[tP(PR) -- tP(PwF)] -- 4 7 , 7 6 8 . 2 3 E + 02 x qg --1-3 4 , 5 5 9 . 6 6 E - 0 3 x qg
372 Gas Well Testing Handbook

1200 _ ~ , , ~ . . i
1000 ~v(PR) = 1063.407

.~ 8oo I
I
".::... 9 00

6oo-[ II
....
i} i

,,', / ~176176
04'00
oo 44
400 .. ..
Oo~ 444

0l
1 A OF = 222 ! 66
~ K ' . ".
",
0 50 100 150 200 250
Flow rate, mmscfd

Figure 6-28. Long-term deliverability curve.

io~176
1.,,
800

Indicated liquid flow

r,io 600 --
o,..
r~ 'r

400-

200 --

0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0

qg / qmax, dimensionless flow rate

Figure 6-29. Inflow performance relationship using dimensionless IPR curves.

 Fundamentals of Pressure Buildup Analysis Methods 373

Buildup Test Preceded by Two Different Flow Rates

These types of analyses are applicable when a rate has been changed a
very short time before the well is shut in for buildup. In this case there is not
sufficient time for Homer's approximation to be valid. A Cartesian coordinate
graph (Figure 6-30) is used to plot the following function:

[qscl (tpl+tp2+ At) (te2+At)]

q' (Pws)versus log + log (6-64)
qsc2 tp2 + At At
We frequently can consider all production before time tel to have been at rate
qs~l and production just before the test to have been at rate qsc2for time tp2,
and At is the shut-in time. The slope m' of this plot is related to formation
permeability by

57.920 x 106qscTPsc
m' -- (6-65)
kh Tsc

800 i ~ '. '.

i I I I
.

750 b'= Intercept i; !! i. i;

, i i
! ; ; ;
700 . - ~ ................... -!.................... ~.................... !...................
. _ i I i

9 iI '~ - 1 ~ _ _ 'i i
650
i - : -- i ~(P)' "'

I Slope m
. . . . ~ . . . . . i ............... i ................... ~,, ............
9 -
6 0 0 -- - ............. : .............. i. . . . . T "1% . . . . .

! ; ; ; *4,,,.
550 ~ i i i =%

! i i
....................................................................
i Q,
500 ................... "I.. . . . . . . . . . . . , , "i

i
450 i i i ,

I
i ' ! !
400 .................... i ................... .i,. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . a. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ,t-. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
; I I I
, I I I

350 i i i i
0.0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0

qsc2 tp2 -{" At

Figure 6-30. Cartesian coordinate graph plot--For buildup test preceded by

two different rates.
374 Gas Well Testing Handbook

or

57.920 x 106 x T x Psc

k ___
m'h Tsc
Calculate the skin factor s from

[ ~(Plhr) - ~(Pwf)t __log( k 2

) -+- 3.23
] (6-66)
s- 1.151 m' dt)lzicir w

where tlt(Plhr) from the plot at time 1 hr and ~(Pwf) at time (tp1 -t- tp2) is
calculated from

qscl II~ + log(tp2) W s]

qJ( Pi ) - ~P( Pwf) = m ~ (6-67)
qsc2
The pressure drop across the skin at rate qscl is
(A P)skin = 0 . 8 6 9 ( - m ' ) ( s ) (6-68)

and at qsc2

*(me)skin -- 0"869( qsc2)(-m)/'(s)qscl (6-69)

Estimate qJ (/3) by

qJ(#) - - qJ(Pmf) + (--m') [ log ( ~#icir2w

kte2 ) - 3 . 2 3 + 0 . 8 6 9 s ] (6-70)

For a bounded reservoir the intercept of the straight line on the ordinate of
the plot should yield qJ (/3), which may then be used as described before to
calculate qJ (PR). A Cartesian coordinate graph plot for buildup test preceded
by two different flow rates is shown in Figure 6-30.

Example 6-5 Analyzing Pressure Buildup Preceded by Two Different Rates

The well is flowed at a rate 2.397 mmscfd up to time 6 hr, at a rate 5.214
mmscfd up to time 6 hr and then shut in. The shut-in time and pressures are
recorded by At and Pws, respectively, in Table 6-13. The reservoir/well data
are the same as in Example 6-3. Determine formation permeability k, true
skin factor s, pressure drop due to skin at rate qscl, and false reservoir pressure
~(p*).

Solution qscl = 2.397 mmscfd; tel = 6 hr; qsc2 = 5.214 mmscfd; tp2 --
6 hr; t = 6 + 6 = 12 hr; ~(Pi) : 861.12 mmpsia2/cp
 Fundamentals of Pressure Buildup Analysis Methods 375

Table 6-13
Pressure Buildup Data Preceded by Two Different Rates

Shut-in Shut-in
time Pressure ~ (Pws) Plotting function, X
At, (hr) Pws, (psia) (mmpsiaZ/cP) qscl log ( telWte2WAt { te2-l-At
tp2+At ) -~- log \ At )
0 2567 418.12
1.0 2819 492.56 0.9687
1.5 3146 593.33 0.8413
2.0 3310 645.36 0.7138
2.5 3350 658.14 0.6465
3.0 3366 663.39 0.5791
3.5 3382 668.62 0.5354
4.0 3385 669.40 0.4917
5.0 3397 673.21 0.4369
6.0 3407 676.64 0.3820
7.0 3415 697.13 0.3481
8.0 3421 681.10 0.3142
9.0 3428 683.34 0.2910
10.0 3436 685.92 0.2677

At At -- 4 hr, the plotting function is

2.397 log ( 6 + 6 + 4 )
X = 521-----4 6+ 4 + log
(6+
4
4)
= 0.4597 (0.2041) + 0.3979 = 0.4917

Buildup Analysis
For a shut-in of 10 hr, the data necessary to draw A(Pws) versus function
X are listed in Table 6-13. The corresponding buildup plot is shown in Figure
6-31, from which
700 - 660
Slope m' - = 57.14 mmpsiaZ/cP
0-0.7
Intercept b' - 705 mmpsia2/cp and ~(Plhr) -- 635 mmpsia2/cp

From Eq. 6-65, formation permeability k is

57.920 • 106 • 5.214 • 710 • 14.65

k- = 2.58 mD
57.14 x 41 • 520
From Eq. 6-66, true skin s is

s -- 1"151[ ~r(plhr)-m~(pwf)t=~ --log dp#i-cir2 -I- 3.23

376 Gas Well Testing Handbook

800 ! I i I
i t i i
750 Intercept b ' = % 0 m m p s i a 2 / c p i i i
/ I I I i

700 - ' - ~ i .................... ~ ................... + ................... -i . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

; i ! ~ ( p ) , h = 635{ mmpsiaZ/cp
650
I I ~ i
,' /
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . L. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . x.-.-,-.-.-. . . . . . . . . . 5. . . . . . . . . . ; . . . . . . . . . ,,,-, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
600 . . . . /

Islopem=(700-660)/(O-O.7)=57.14mmpsia2/cP/cycle I i%.~,
, ~

E 550

........... l ..................
500 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . bI . . . . . . . . . . . . . k = 2.58 m D
,..%
! s=9.38
! qt(P*)
I

450 = 857,86 mmpsia2/cP i

i ~(PR) = 739.23 mmpsia2/cP i
.......... ~, ..................
400 - ' - ................. i............ ~(P,) = 857.86 m m p s i a 2 / c P
II [/)'('Z~~ = 465.76 mmpsia2/cP i
350 i i
i i ; i
300 .. i ._ i . . . . . ; |

0.0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0

qsc~ t,~ + ~xt Ai

Figure 6--31. Plot of ~ (Pws) versus plotting function.

I
635 - 4 1 8 . 1 2
-- 1.151 57.14

-log 0.1004 x 0.0235 • 0.00023 • 0.42712 4- 3.23 = 9.38

F r o m Eq. 6 - 6 8 , pressure drop due to skin at rate qscl is

~(Ap)s~i,, atqscl -- 0 . 8 6 9 ( m ) ( s ) -- 0.869 x - 5 7 . 1 4 • 9.38

= 465.76 m m p s i a 2 / c P

F r o m Eq. 6 - 7 0 , ~ ( p * ) is

ktp2 - 3 23 + 0.869s 1
~(P*) -- g/(Pwfo) + ( - m ) ~#iCirw2
= 201.21 4- ( - 5 7 . 1 4 )

x 0.1114 x 0.00023 x 0.42712 - 3.23 + 0.869 x 9.38

= 201.21 + ( - 5 7 . 1 4 ) [ 6 . 5 7 - 3.23 + 8.15]
= 201.21 + 656.61 -- 857.86 mmpsiaZ/cP
 Fundamentals of Pressure Buildup Analysis Methods 377

Calculate ~ (PR) from the MDH method:

0.000264(5.214) (44.44)
e F -- 4re tDa -- (4) (22/7) = 0.1257
(0.1004) (0.0027 (0.42) 7r2
F- 1.1339

From Homer plot of Figure 6-20, 7t (PR) - 772.00 mmpsia2/cp.

Buildup Following a Variable-Rate Drawdown Test

The methods of Odeh and Jones 14 may be used for analyzing a buildup
following a variable-rate drawdown. The flow sequence may be summarized as

Flow rate ql up to time tl

Flow rate q2 up to time t2
Flow rate qn up to time tn

The total drawdown time is again represented by t, that is, t - tn. The shut-
in following rate qn extends over the time period At. Using these notations,
Eq. 4-67 may be extended to include the shut-in period to give

~ ( P i ) -- ~(Pws) = m' y~,

qn ~.
n+l[ A q j log(t + At -- tj-1)
qn
1
[ (
+ m' log 4)#g-Cir2 ) - 3.23 + 0.869s ] (6-71)

Defining q~(Pwfo) as the pseudopressure just before shut-in, Eq. 5-67 may be
written as
qJ ( Pi ) -- oP( Pwfo) ,~ A qi
= m' ~ log(t -- tj-1)
qn j=l qn

[ ( k )-3.23+0.869s'] (6-72)
+ m' log c])#icir 2

Subtracting Eq. 6-71 from Eq. 6-72 gives

n
~(Pws) - qJ(Pwfo) = m, Z Aqi log t + At - tj_l ) + m' (0 - qn)
qn j---1 qn t -- tj-1 qn

- log At + m' log

E ( dP~iCirw
' ) 2 - 3.23+0.869s'
]
(6-73)
378 Gas Well Testing Handbook

where
57.920 • 106Tpsc
m' =
kh Tsc
Aqj -- qj -- qj-1
qn+l - - 0
to=qo=O
t=t~

A plot of

[tP(pi)--~(Pws)]/qnversus~IAqj log(t + A t - tj-1)]

j=l qn

on arithmetic coordinates should give a straight line from which kh may be

obtained from

57.920 • 106qscTpsc
kh = (6-74)
m' Tsc

s ' - - 1.151 -log ~ +3.23 (6-75)

m' qn dt)# giCi r w

where gt(pwsl = the pseudopressure at At = 1; ~(Pwfo) --- the pseudo-

pressure just before shut-in; and qn -- the rate just before shut-in. Equation
6-75 is valid when IT flow effects are negligible or when the assumptions
s' -- s 1 -- s 2
,
.......
l m
s n can be made; when IT flow effects cannot be
f

neglected, the foregoing equations may be modified to include

s' -- s + Dqsc

Equation 6-71 may be written as

~(Pi) -- tP(Pws) _ m' E

qn j+l
E Aqj log(t + At -- tj-1) + 0.869Dqn
qn
]
+m' log 4)# irw2 - 3.23 + 0.869s (6-76)

A plot of

(Pi)) - ~ (Pws) [ Aqj

qn versus E qn log(t + A t - tj_l)] + 0.869Dqn

on arithmetic coordinates should give a straight line from which good approx-
imations of kh and s may be calculated. This method of analysis involves a
 Fundamentals of Pressure Buildup Analysis Methods 379

graphical trial-and-error procedure in which values for D have to be guessed

until a straight line is obtained. The correct plot is then used to determine slope
m' and intercept B' equal to

r ,
+ 2s] (6-77)

If log is used in place of In, Eq. 6-77 becomes

B ' - m' [(log k~(pwf~

~#giCir2
+ 0.869s] (6-78)

The values of kh and s may be determined by

57.920 • 106qscTPsc
kh= (6-79)
mI Tsc

and

s - 1.151 ~-7 - log dP#giCirw2 + 3.23 (6-80)

Total pressure drop due to the skin effect then will be

qJ(Ap)skin : 0.869m' s qn (6-81)

Buildup Test Analysis When Rate Varies before Testing

Homer and MDH plotting techniques apply only for a constant produc-
tion rate preceding the buildup test. However, as indicated by the equation
tp -- 24Vp variable-rate conditions may be handled approximately in many
qsc '
circumstances. Nevertheless, in buildup tests with relatively short flow periods
or with widely varying rate before shut-in, it is important to include the effects
of rate variation on test analysis for infinite-acting system and unfractured
wells. The following equation may be used:

(Pws)--~(Pi)-m~'~q-J-Jlog[
9 tn-tj_l+At] (6-82)
j=l qn t~ - tj + A t

Figure 6-32 identifies the nomenclature for the variable-rate period. Equation
6-82 indicates that a plot of 9(Pws) versus the summation term on the fight-
hand side should yield a straight-line portion with slope - m given by equation
380 Gas Well Testing Handbook

q,,
E
E
q4

ql
At

t/ t2 t3 in_I t,
Time

Figure 6-32. Schematic of rate variation preceding a pressure buildup test

and skin factor from.

(with the final rate, qn, used in place of qsc) and intercept 9(Pi). Permeability
is estimated from.

57.920 x 106qnTPsc
k - (6-83)
m Tsch

if (tn - tn-1) ~ 1 hr.

s -- l ' 1 5 1 [ qJ(Plhr) - qJ(Pwf(At=O)) -- log ( k ) + 3.23 ] (6-84)

m dp#ctr 2

Example 6-626 A n a l y z i n g Pressure Buildup Preceded by Varying Flow

Rates
The gas well is tested with four varying flow rates. Flow rates sequences,
shut-in time, and pressures along with calculated data are given in Tables 6 - 1 4
through 6-20. The reservoir/well data are as follows" PR - 1660 psia; 7/(P-R)
or 189.00 mmpsia2/cp; /z - 0.01639 cP; T -- 686~ Ts -- 89~ Tc =
370.010 R; Pc -- 650.59 psia; Psc -- 14.65 psia; Tsc -- 60~ rw - 0.4271 ft;
re - 2106 ft; h - 69 ft; Sg - 0.603; Sw - 0.397; Cg - 0.00064 p s i - l ;
Cw - 3.01 x 10 -6 p s i - l ; c f = 4.1 x 10 -6 p s i - l ; ct - 0.000255 p s i - i ;
z - 0.9148;/3g - 93.9944 scf/ft3; ~b - 14.6; ~b/-/c - 0.088.
 Fundamentals of Pressure Buildup Analysis Methods 381

Table 6-14
Calculated PVT Properties and Gas Pseudopressure, ~(p)

Pressure Compressibility Gas viscosity Real gas pseudopressure

(psia) factor (z) (cP) ~(p), (mmpsiae/cp)
4000 0.9470 0.023689 903.57
3700 0.9598 0.022859 816.26
3500 0.9354 0.022018 730.52
3250 0.9256 0.021176 646.66
3000 0.9177 0.020345 565.11
2750 0.9119 0.019533 486.41
2500 0.9085 0.018748 411.18
2250 0.9074 0.017997 340.12
2000 0.9189 0.017285 273.93
1750 0.9128 0.016618 213.36
1500 0.9192 0.016002 159.12
1250 0.9279 0.015441 111.91
1000 0.9389 0.014940 72.35
750 0.9518 0.014507 41.00
500 0.9665 0.014147 18.31
250 0.9825 0.013868 4.60
14.65 0.9985 0.013687 0.53

1. Determine formation permeability k and skin factor s', using the Homer
and MDH plotting techniques (use long shut-in-time data).
2. Estimate k and s using Eq. 6-82 (summation term).

Solution Table 6-14 tabulates the calculated gas PVT properties and pseu-
dopressure function.
Using Horner and MDH Plotting Techniques

~r(AP)skin --0.869 • 6.6 x 1 0 . 7 8 - 61.83 mmpsia2/cp ~ 525 psia

Pressure buildup data in Table 6-15 are shown in Figures 6-33 and 6-34. The
log-log plot of the build-up data in Table 6-15 is used to check the significance
of wellbore storage. Since there is no unit-slope line, we conclude that dominant
wellbore storage has ended by 1.2 hr. However, the rapid pressure increase
shown in Figure 6-33 does indicate that wellbore storage or skin effects are
significant until about 0.50 hr. The data obtained about 0.50 hr can be analyzed.
The following information can be obtained from Figure 6-33:

Slope m l - 6.6 mmpsia2/cP/cycle and ~r(Plhr) -- 189.40 mmpsia2/cp

382 Gas Well Testing Handbook

Table 6-15
Pressure Buildup Data (tel = 6 hours, flow rate, qscl = 2.802 mmscfd,
Pwfo = 1164.55 psia or ~ ( p ) = 97.51 mmpsia2/cp)

At tpl+-At
At Pressure, ews ~b (Pws ) A ~b -- 9(Pws ) -- ~ (Pwfo )
(hr) m (psia) (mmpsia2/cp) (mmpsia2/cp)

0.03 181 1216 106.00 8.50

0.07 91 1284 117.85 20.34
0.10 61 1330 126.18 28.68
0.13 46 1382 135.97 38.46
0.17 37 1432 145.63 48.12
0.25 25 1513 161.75 64.25
0.33 19 1581 175.94 78.43
0.50 13 1634 187.32 89.82
0.75 9 1644 189.60 92.09
1.00 7 1645 189.88 92.37
1.50 5 1648 190.43 92.92
2.00 4 1650 190.98 93.47
2.50 3.4 1653 191.53 94.02
3.00 3 1654 191.88 94.37
4.00 2.5 1657 192.43 94.93
5.00 2.2 1659 192.87 95.37
6.00 2.0 1660 193.12 95.61

Equation 6-10 is used to estimate permeability k from

57.920 x 106qsc TPsc

kl ---
m h Tsc
57.920 x 106 x 2.802 x 686 x 14.65
-- = 6.89 mD
6.6 x 106 x 520 x 69

Skin factor is estimated from Eq. 6-11 using lp(Plhr ) --- 189.40 mmpsia2/cp
from Eq. 6-12"

s'1 -- 1.151[ 189.406.6- 97.51

- log
(6.89
('146)('01639)('000255)('4271) 2
)]
= 10.78

We can estimate pressure drop across the skin from Eq. 6-12"

O ( A p ) s l , i,, = 0.869 x 6.6 x 1 0 . 7 8 - 61.83 mmpsia2/cp +-~ 525 psia

 Fundamentals of Pressure Buildup Analysis Methods 383

1000 i
I
Log-log data plot - Match i (Using Ramey type curve)
I
I
i~
I
i 1.2 hours
i
i~
r,l
o
100 . . . . . ..... . . . . . . . . . . . ---
"""""""" ......
W - l ~ l
- - ? ~ . .T~ - . . . . . . . . .. .. .. . . . . . . .
- . 27_'. 2.-. ,.
. . . . . . . .

12, ~

o~ I I
E
9" !
I
I
I
Approxima!ely start of Homer straight-line
<1 I
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ~ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
10 "-" !
~
I
!
!
i qsc/= 2.802 mmscfd
I
I
i

I
I

0.1 1 10
At hours

Figure 6--33. A ~(p) versus At for buildup test # 1.

'-- 1 1511189.40-97.51
Sl " 6.6 - log I_
( (.146)(.01639)(.000255)(.4271) 2
)]
= 10.78

Using Horner and MDH Plotting Techniques

Pressure buildup data in Table 6-16 are shown in Figures 6-35 and
6-36. The log-log plot of the buildup data in Table 6-16 is used to check
the significance of wellbore storage. Since there is no unit-slope line, we con-
clude that dominant wellbore storage has ended by 1.5 hr. However, the rapid
pressure increase shown in Figure 6-36 does indicate that wellbore storage or
skin effects are significant until about 0.50 hr. The data obtained about 0.50 hr
can be analyzed. The following information can be obtained from Figure 6-36:

Slopem2 - 5.8mmpsia2/cP/cycle and ~(Plhr) -- 186.0mmpsia2/cp

Equation 6-10 is used to estimate permeability k:

57.920 • 106qscTPsc
k2-
mhTsc
57.920 x 106 • 3.302 • 686 x 14.65
= 9.24 mD
5.8 • 106 • 520 x 69
384 Gas Well Testing Handbook

250

240
qscl = 2.802 m m s c f d
230 m / = 6.6 mmpsia 2
q/(P.f)l hr = 189.40 mmpsia 2 / cP
220 ~d(P.jo) = 97.51 mmpsia 2 / cP
k / = 6.89 m D Slope ml = 6.6 mmpsia 2 / cP
210 - -
s '1 = 10.78 i
o !

"- 200
! ,
K
E
19o - - I

E 18o

~., 17o-- I 9

i 9 1.2 hours
16o i ~ Start of Homer's straight line

150 - -

I I

140

130 - -

i
~ ,
II I I I I i I
120 i i
000 100 10 1
( tpl + At ) / At

Figure 6-34. Horner's plot for buildup (rate # 1 - 2.802 mmscfd--Example

6-6).

Skin factor is estimated from Eq. 6-11 using 7r (Plhr) - - 186.0 mmpsia2/cp:

' 1186.0 - 110.15

s 2 -- 1.151 5.8

- log
( 9 2 4 ) ]
(0"146)(0"01639)(0"000255)(0"4271) 2 + 3.23 -- 8.39

Using Horner and M D H Plotting Techniques

Pressure buildup data in Table 6-17 are shown in Figures 6-37 and 6-38.
The log-log plot of the buildup data in Table 6-17 is used to check the signif-
icance of wellbore storage. Since there is no unit-slope line, we conclude that
dominant wellbore storage has ended by 1.3 hr. However, the rapid pressure
increase shown in Figure 6-38 does indicate that wellbore storage or skin ef-
fects are significant until about 0.50 hr. The data obtained about 0.50 hr can
be analyzed. The following information can be obtained from Figure 6-38:

Slope m3 - 5.9 mmpsia/cP/cycle

2 and lp(Plhr ) -- 184.30mmpsia2/cp
 Fundamentals of Pressure Buildup Analysis Methods 385

Table 6-16
Pressure Buildup Data (te2 = 11.09146 hr; flow rate, qscl = 3.302
mmscfd; and Pwfo = 1215 psia or ~p(p) = 110.15 mmpsia2/cp)

~t Pressure Pws '~ (Pws) - ( Vws ) - ,V ( pw:o )

tpl+At
(hrs) At
(psia) (mmpsia2/cp) (mmpsia2/cp)

0.07 167.37 1255 112.98 24.01

0.1 111.91 1321 114.61 35.65
0.13 84.19 1368 113.32 44.36
0.17 67.55 1416 142.47 53.51
0.25 45.37 1506 160.32 71.36
0.33 34.27 1576 174.84 85.87
0.50 23.18 1622 184.76 95.79
0.75 15.79 1631 186.74 97.77
1.00 12.09 1633 187.13 98.16
1.50 8.39 1634 187.32 98.36
2.00 6.55 1636 187.87 98.90
2.50 5.44 1637 188.15 99.19
3.00 4.70 1640 188.61 99.65
4.00 3.77 1642 189.09 100.13
5.00 3.22 1644 189.49 100.52
6.00 2.85 1644 189.68 100.72

1000
i
Log-log data plot - Match -i( Using R a m e y ' s type curves)
i
I
i
I
I

i 1.5 hours
I

100 --- . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

e.l
,.." ! /
E
E ~pproximate start of H o m e r straight line
i
i
I

I<~ 10 - . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -i . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

i
I

qsc2 = 3.302 mmscfd ;

I
i
i
I

0.1 1

At, h o u r s

Figure 6-35. A~(p) versus At for buildup test # 2--Example 6 - 6

386 Gas Well Testing Handbook

250 i

i
240 i
qsc2 = 3 . 3 0 2 m m s c f d
230 u m2 = 5.8 m m p s i a 2 / c P / c y c l e t

~(Pws2)l hr = 186.0 m m p s i a 2 / c P I
220
w(Pwfo) = 110.15 m m p s i a 2 / c p I
k2 = 9 . 2 4 m D I
210 i
s ) = 8.30 Slope m_~= 5.8 mmpsia2/cP/cycle
o 200 I
._ I I

& 190-- I i
E i
fi
180 I
i 4"
I
170 I
I 4" 1.5 hours
I , 9149
160 i 9 S t a r t o f Horner's straight-line
i 4"

150 I 4 4

140 9

120
I
tl 4
I
110
1000 100 10

( tp2 + At ) / At

Figure 6--36. Homer's plot for buildup test (rate # 2 = 3.302 mmscfd)--
Example 6 - 6 .

Equation 6 - 1 0 is used to estimate permeability k"

57.920 x 106qscTPsc
k3
mhTsc
57.920 x 106 x 3.524 x 686 x 14.65
= = 9.69 mD
5.9 x 106 x 520 x 69

Skin factor is estimated from Eq. 6-11 using llr(Plhr) - - 184.30 mmpsia2/cp
from Eq. 6-11"

, [ 184.3 - 84.09
s 3 -- 1.151 5.9

- log (0"146)(0"01639)(0"000255)(0"4271) 2
9.69
+3.23)]--12.29
Using Horner and M D H Plotting Techniques
Pressure buildup data in Table 6-18 are shown in Figures 6-39 and 6-40.
The log-log plot of the buildup data in Table 6-18 is used to check the
 Fundamentals of Pressure Buildup Analysis Methods 387

Table 6-17
Pressure Buildup Data (te3 = 16.39274 hr; flow rate qscl = 3.524
mmscfd; and Pwfo =1079.55 psia or ~(p) = 84.09 mmpsia2/cp)

At Pressure Pws ~b(Pws) A ~ -- ~(Pws)--~(Pwfo)

(hrs) tpl d-At
At
(psia) (mmpsia2/cp) (mmpsia2/cp)
0.02 984.56 1137 93.02 8.93
0.03 492.78 1189 101.53 17.45
0.07 246.89 1269 115.19 31.11
0.10 164.93 1330 126.22 42.14
0.13 123.95 1389 137.34 53.26
0.17 99.36 1436 146.35 62.27
0.25 66.57 1523 163.85 79.77
0.33 50.18 1578 175.45 91.37
0.50 33.79 1614 183.05 98.97
0.75 22.86 1621 184.61 100.53
1.00 17.39 1623 184.95 100.87
1.50 11.93 1626 185.65 101.57
2.00 9.20 1628 186.15 102.07
2.50 7.56 1630 186.52 102.44
3.00 6.46 1632 187.02 102.94
4.00 5.01 1635 187.61 103.53
5.00 4.28 1637 188.00 103.92
6.00 3.73 1639 188.42 104.33

significance of wellbore storage. Since there is no unit-slope line, we con-

clude that dominant wellbore storage has ended by 2.5 hr. However, the rapid
pressure increase shown in Figure 6-40 does indicate that wellbore storage or
skin effects are significant until about 0.75 hr. The data obtained about 0.75 hr
can be analyzed. The following information can be obtained from Figure 6-40:

Slope m4 -- 5.7 mmpsia2/cP/cycle and ~(Plhr) -- 178.6 mmpsia2/cp

Equation 6-10 is used to estimate permeability k:

57.920 x 106qscTPsc
k4-
mh Tsc
57.920 x 106 x 3.543 x 686 • 14.65
= 10.08 mD
5.7 • 106 x 520 • 69

(text continued on page 391)

388 Gas Well Testing Handbook

1000

Log-log data plot - Match - (Using Ramey's type curves)

i I I
, , ,
I I I
i i 1.3 h o u r s i_
100 - - ..................... ~ . . . . . . ;. ;/_,,,,.,_,,.._.~_-._-.,_ - -_._ - , -

411, 9 i
rq
o
, I,
iT
I
........................
I

E
,...e,
10--- .....................
i
l- . . . . . . . . . . .
i'
i
t Approximately

"
start o f H o m e r s t r a i g h t - l i n e

'
I .............

I I I

I I I
i<1
i I i
1--- . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ~- . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . "1" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . "i" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

i ; i
! qscs = 3.524 mmscfd i

,
I I I

,
0.1 I
,
I
,
I
,
I I I

0.01 0.1 1 10 100

At, h o u r s

Figure 6-37. Agr(P) versus At for buildup test # 3--Example 6 - 6 .

250[ i ,;;
q,, ~ = 3 . 5 2 4 m m s c fd ;
230--1 .... nls = 5.9 inmpsia2/.cP/cycle ............. {. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
i ~I*(P,, ~)i i~,-= 1 8 4 . 3 0 m m p s i a 2 / c P i .
] 'ls(Pt)=8409mmpsia2/cP l "~ [--
K, = ~.ovInu
210 . . . . . . ,i,,, .. ",_, .-. " -.- S l o p e , m3 = 5 . 9 n m l t ~ s l a - / c p / c y c l e
/ / /
e,l
] s's=12"29 i /

TI
9,.-, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . i.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

.r
170 .............................

/
i
~ ......

! ,, 7
-*- .....................
"- ....... 1
i ................................
i'

I
150 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . J~,,*. . . . . . . 1.3 h o u r s .................
,~ Start of Honer's straight-line
"
130 |t - ~-~
9 9 -Ji . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . _ ii . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
/ 9 ; '

100 [ "''~ ' !

1000 1 O0 10

Shut-in t i m e At, h o u r s

Figure 6-38. Horner's plot for buildup test # 3 (Rate # 3 = 3.524 mmscfd).
 Fundamentals of Pressure Buildup Analysis Methods 389

Table 6-18
Pressure Buildup Data (t p3 = 40.30483 hr; flow rate qsc4 = 3.543
mmscfd; Pwfo = 1232 psia or ~ ( p ) =113.45 mmpsiaZ/cP)

At Pressure Pws ~b(Pws) A ~ -- ~ ( P w s ) - - ~ ( P w f o )

tplWAt
(hr) At (psia) (mmpsiae/cp) (mmpsiae/cp)
0.07 605.57 1250 113.95 22.90
0.10 404.05 1264 114.33 32.20
0.13 303.29 1318 123.99 41.87
0.17 242.83 1355 130.94 48.82
0.25 162.22 1449 148.89 66.77
0.33 121.91 1522 163.56 81.44
0.50 81.61 1576 174.94 92.82
0.75 54.74 1589 177.70 95.58
1.00 41.30 1593 178.62 96.50
1.50 27.87 1597 179.46 97.33
2.00 21.15 1599 179.84 97.72
2.50 17.12 1601 180.31 98.19
3.00 14.43 1603 180.68 98.56
3.50 12.52 1605 181.11 98.95
4.00 11.08 1607 181.45 99.33
5.00 9.96 1608 181.78 99.65
5.50 9.06 1609 182.03 100.15
6.00 8.33 1610 182.27 100.39
6.50 7.72 1611 182.51 100.45
7.00 7.20 1612 182.57 100.82
7.50 6.67 1613 182.94 100.88
8.00 6.37 1614 183.01 101.12
8.50 6.04 1615 183.24 101.23
9.00 5.74 1615 183.35 101.36
9.83 5.48 1616 183.48 101.57
10.00 5.10 1617 183.70 101.70
10.50 5.03 1618 183.83 101.85
11.00 4.84 1618 183.98 101.94
11.50 4.66 1619 184.06 102.05
12.00 4.50 1619 184.17 102.11
12.50 4.36 1620 184.24 102.29
13.00 4.22 1621 184.41 102.44
13.50 4.10 1622 184.56 102.59
14.00 3.99 1622 184.71 102.70
14.50 3.88 1622 184.82 102.74
15.00 3.78 1622 184.87 102.83
16.00 3.69 1623 184.95 103.07
17.00 3.52 1624 185.19 103.22
18.00 3.37 1625 185.34 103.44
19.00 3.24 1626 185.56 103.57
390 Gas Well Testing Handbook

Table 6-18 (Continued)

At Pressure Pws ~(Pws) A r = ,~ (pws)- '~ (pw:o)

tpl + A t
(hr) At (psia) (mmpsia2/cp) (mmpsia2/cP)
20.00 3.12 1626 185.69 103.81
21.00 3.02 1627 185.93 103.92
22.00 2.92 1628 186.04 104.00
23.00 2.83 1629 186.32 104.20
24.00 2.75 1630 186.43 104.31
25.00 2.68 1630 186.54 104.42
26.00 2.61 1631 186.74 104.61
27.00 2.55 1632 186.87 104.74
28.00 2.49 1632 186.97 104.85
29.00 2.44 1633 187.17 105.05
30.00 2.39 1633 187.21 105.09
31.00 2.34 1633 187.28 105.16
32.00 2.30 1634 187.48 105.35
33.00 2.26 1635 187.61 105.48
34.00 2.22 1635 187.67 105.55
35.00 2.19 1636 187.76 105.64
36.00 2.15 1636 187.91 105.79
37.00 2.12 1637 188.00 105.88
38.00 2.09 1637 188.11 105.99
39.00 2.06 1637 188.15 106.03
40.00 2.03 1638 188.26 106.14
41.00 2.00 1638 188.35 106.23
42.00 1.98 1639 188.42 106.29
43.00 1.96 1639 188.59 106.47
44.00 1.94 1640 188.66 106.53
45.00 1.92 1640 188.74 106.62
46.00 1.90 1640 188.81 106.69
47.00 1.88 1641 188.90 106.97
48.00 1.86 1641 189.01 106.88
49.00 1.84 1642 189.09 106.97
50.00 1.82 1642 189.16 107.06
51.00 1.81 1643 189.29 107.17
52.00 1.79 1643 189.36 107.23
53.00 1.78 1643 189.44 107.32
54.00 1.76 1644 189.53 107.41
55.00 1.75 1644 189.55 107.43
56.00 1.73 1652 191.33 109.26
57.00 1.72 1657 192.48 110.35
58.00 1.71 1660 193.01 110.88
59.00 1.69 1660 193.07 110.95
60.00 1.68 1659 192.81 110.68
61.00 1.67 1658 192.76 110.64
61.75 1.66 1660 193.01 110.88
 Fundamentals of Pressure Buildup Analysis Methods 391

1000
. i i
,

L o g - l o g data plot - M a t c h - ( U s i n g R a m e y ' s type curve)

I ' I
i ,, =t= 9 .._- . . . .
. _, ; / !
100 - ' - ...................... "r'-w,'- .................. ; . . . . I- . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . f .......................
o

***~ i 2.5 h o u r s
! Approximate start o f H o m e r s t r a i g h t - l i n e
!

I
i I I
. i ;

10 - - - . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ~. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ~- . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ~- . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

I
i I I
. ; i
,
I, I I
I I !
' qsc4= 3.543 m m s c f d ; i
; ; ;
. ,

. i I

I I I
' , ,
I I I
I ' i
i s
i ;
0.01 0.1 1 10 100
At, h o u r s

Figure 6-39. A r (P) versus At for buildup test # 4--Example 6-6.

(text continued from page 387)

Skin factor is estimated from Eq. 6-11 using 7t (Plhr) - - 178.60 mmpsia2/cp:

s~ -- 1"1511178"60-6.6 82.12

( 1oo8 )]
-log (0"146)(0"01639)(0"000255)(0"4271) 2 + 3.23 -- 12.20

Using Eq. 6-82

Figure 6-41 is a plot of the data in Tables 6-19 and 6-20, using Eq. 6-82,
the summation term in that equation is written as follows for value of n - 20"

qjlog(tn--tj-1 +At)
j=l qn tn --tj + At
2.802 log 18 - 0 + A t ) - 3.302 1 8 - 6 + At )
3.54----3 18 -- 6 + At -+ 3.543 log 18--12+At
3.543 log ( 1 8 - 12 + A t )
+ 3.543 At
392 Gas Well Testing Handbook

250
I I
' I i
qsc4 = 3.543 m m s c f d ] i
220 . . . . m 4 = 5.7 m m p s i a 2/cp/cycle ]. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ~ ................................
W(Pws4)l h~ = 178~,6 mmp.sl2aZ/cP ] Slope m4 = 5.7 mmpsia2/cp/cycle q
~ltl-'wfo) = ~sz. l z m m p s l a / c r I , I
200" k 4 = 10.08 m D ]. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ~ . . . . . ~x~ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
"- . . . . . . S ' 4 = 1" ....
220 /
j i "~ ,,-'"
180 . . . . . . . . . .

"~ 160 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ~
7g~ .................
,--!*~*
I
2.5 hours ]. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
~- ,e* i Start of H o m e r ' s straight line [
9 ] .................................................. J
140 ............ --j ]

m,,
.[ ~(Pwfo) = 82.12 mmpsiaZ/cP
I
!
I
I
,
120 t I
000 100 10

( tp4 -4- At ) / At

Figure 6-40. Horner's plot for buildup (rate # 4 - 3.543 mmscfd)--Example

6-6.

(18+ At) (12+ At)(6+ At)

= 0.7909 log 1 2 + A t + 0.9320 log 6 + A t + log At
(18+20) (12+20) (6+20~
-- 0.79091og 12 + 20 + 0.93201og + log
20 20 /
= 0.0590 + 0.0840 + 0.1139
= 0.2569
Table 6-20 summarizes the calculations. The slope in Figure 6-41 gives m --
10.71 mmpsiaZ/cR From Eq. 6-83;

k m
57.920 x 106x qn • T x Psc
m h Tsc
57.920 x 106 x 3.543 x 686 x 14.65
= = 5.37 mD
10.71 x 106 x 69 x 520
From Eq. 6-84;

s -- 1.151 [ (~(Plhr)- m~(Pwf, At=o)) - log

k
2
~) t z c t r w
+ 3.23]
= 1.151[ (175"5-10.71113"45)106x
106

- log 5.37
0.088 • 0.01639 x 0.000255 x 0.42712 +3231 1,2
 Fundamentals of Pressure Buildup Analysis Methods 393

Table 6-19
Pretest Rate and Pressure
Data

j tj qsc
(hr) (mmscfd)
0 0 0
1 6 2.802
2 12 3.302
3 18 3.543

196 t I i
0 n i
194 ' ' i
Slope m = (175.0 - 1 9 0 . 0 ) / ( 0.2 - 1.6 ) !
|

192 =- 15/- 1.4 ...... , il

II
190 = 10.71 m m p s i a 2 / c P / c y c l e i
'\'. i ,,
, _+N,_ i 9
188 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . T...................... ixX. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . i. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ~,". . . . .

186 i i X ; . ' ~
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . i_. L
184 k = 5.37 mD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
I s= 1.67 I i "~ ~ -

...................... -1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ~ ...................

; ' i

178

...................... I
.......... 'i........................
I
'......................
I
i
174 i i ;
2 1.5 1 0.5 0

n qj (t n - + At 1
j=l z t n - tj + At )
Figure 6--41. Buildup test analysis when rate varies before testing--Example
6-6.

6.12 Concept of Drainage Radius

The radius of investigation is also known as radius of drainage. Any equation
for radius of investigation from a buildup test is very approximate. In a reservoir
that is known to be infinite acting the radius of investigation is simply obtained
by

rinv--O'03248~(k-f
)dp-~g
iR(te+At) (6-85)
394 Gas Well Testing Handbook

Table 6-20
Buildup Data and Computations

2.802 lao { 18-l-At~ 3.302log { 12+At 3.543 log (6+At)

(hr) 0 . 7 9 0 9 1 o g18+At
( ~ ) 0 . 9 3 2 0 1 o g \ ~ ){ 12+At log \{ ~6+At
) Term (psia) (mmpsiae/ep)
0.07 0.1386 0.2782 1.9381 2.3549 1210 105.02
0.10 0.1383 0.2772 1.7853 2.2008 1264 114.33
0.50 0.1347 0.2647 1.1139 1.5133 1576 174.94
1.00 0.1303 0.2506 0.8451 1.2260 1593 178.62
1.50 0.1263 0.2379 0.6990 1.0632 1597 179.46
2.00 0.1225 0.2265 0.6021 0.9511 1599 179.84
2.50 0.1189 0.2162 0.5315 0.8666 1601 180.31
3.00 0.1156 0.2068 0.4771 0.7995 1603 180.68
3.50 0.1124 0.1982 0.4337 0.7443 1605 181.11
4.00 0.1094 0.1902 0.3979 0.6975 1607 181.45
4.50 0.1065 0.1829 0.3680 0.6574 1608 181.78
5.00 0.1038 0.1762 0.3424 0.6224 1609 182.03
5.50 0.1013 0.1699 0.3203 0.5915 1610 182.27
6.00 0.0988 0.1641 0.3010 0.5639 1611 182.51
6.50 0.0965 0.1589 0.2840 0.5394 1612 182.57
7.00 0.0943 0.1536 0.2688 0.5167 1613 182.94
7.50 0.0921 0.1488 0.2553 0.4962 1614 183.01
8.00 0.0901 0.1444 0.2430 0.4748 1615 183.24
8.50 0.0882 0.1403 0.2324 0.4596 1615 183.35
9.00 0.0863 0.1362 0.2218 0.4443 1616 183.48
9.50 0.0846 0.1326 0.2130 0.4301 1617 183.70
10.00 0.0828 0.1289 0.2041 0.4158 1618 183.83
11.00 0.0797 0.1227 0.1901 0.3849 1619 184.06
12.00 0.0766 0.1164 0.1761 0.3691 1620 184.24
14.00 0.0717 0.1070 0.1572 0.3359 1622 184.82
16.00 0.0667 0.0976 0.1383 0.3026 1624 185.19
18.00 0.0629 0.0908 0.1261 0.2798 1626 185.56
20.00 0.0590 0.0840 0.1139 0.2569 1627 185.93
22.00 0.0558 0.0786 0.1047 0.2391 1628 186.13
24.00 0.0531 0.0741 0.0975 0.2247 1630 186.43
26.00 0.0504 0.0696 0.0902 0.2102 1631 186.74
28.00 0.0482 0.0660 0.0847 0.1989 1632 186.97
30.00 0.0459 0.0624 0.0792 0.1875 1633 187.21
32.00 0.0439 0.0593 0.0746 0.1778 1634 187.48
34.00 0.0422 0.0567 0.0708 0.1696 1635 187.67
36.00 0.0405 0.0540 0.0669 0.1614 1636 187.91
40.00 0.0375 0.0496 0.0607 0.1478 1638 188.26
44.00 0.0350 0.0459 0.0555 0.1364 1640 188.66
48.00 0.0329 0.0429 0.0515 0.1272 1641 189.01
52.00 0.0307 0.0398 0.0475 0.1180 1643 189.36
56.00 0.0291 0.0375 0.0445 0.1111 1652 191.33
60.00 0.0275 0.0352 0.0414 0.1041 1659 192.81
61.75 0.0269 0.0343 0.0403 0.1015 1660 193.11
 Fundamentals of Pressure Buildup Analysis Methods 395

This equation is valid only for rinv < re or (t + At) < ts where ts is time of
stabilization and is found from

t, ~ 1000 qb-~gr2e (6-86)

k~R
Example 6-7 Calculating Radius o f Investigation
We wish to run a flow test on an exploratory well for sufficiently long
to ensure that the well will drain a cylinder of more than 1000 ft radius.
Preliminary well and fluid data analysis suggests that k = 8.21 mD, ~b =
0.1004, ct = 0.00023 psi -1, and #g - 0.02345 cP. What length flow test
appears advisable?

Solution The minimum length flow test would propagate a pressure transient
approximately 2000 ft from the well (twice the minimum radius of investigation
for safety).

984qbHctr 2 984 • 0.1004 • 0.02345 • 0.00023 • 20002

t--
k 8.21
-- 259.6 hr

In practice, we require a flow rate large enough that pressure change with
time can be recorded with sufficient precision to be useful for analysis; also,
it depends on the particular pressure gauge used in the test.

6.13 Analysis of Responses in Composite Reservoirs

Several deviations that may include reservoir heterogeneity, phase redistri-
bution, wellbore storage, and interference effects will affect the data collected
during buildup tests. Some of these deviations may be recognized from a
Homer plot. A few of the important deviations from the idealized reservoir
model are shown in Figure 6-2.

6.14 Summary
In conclusion, practical considerations may prevent us from conducting
pressure tests and the complexity may limit the information we can get. Thus,
it is important for an engineer to determine the objectives of the well test
and make some preliminary calculations about various flow periods and their
duration. Based upon test duration, an engineer can then estimate the shut-in
time required to obtain various flow periods, information obtained from these
flow periods, and costs for conducting these tests. Then one can establish a
reasonable basis to decide on conducting a well test. In some instances, it may
396 Gas Well Testing Handbook

be difficult to estimate a range of various reservoir parameters. The buildup test

can then be undertaken based upon evaluation of the initial drawdown testing.

References and Additional Reading

1. Homer, D. R., "Pressure Buildup in Wells," Third World Petroleum
Congress Proceedings, E. J. Brill, Leiden, 1951.
2. Miller, Dyes, and Hutchinson, "Estimation of Permeability and Reser-
voir Pressure from Bottom Hole Pressure Buildup Characteristics." Trans.
AIME (1950), 189.
3. Matthews, L., Brons, G. S. E, and Hazebroek, E, "A Method for Determi-
nation of Average Pressure in a Bounded Reservoir," Trans. AIME (1954)
201,182-191.
4. Matthews, C. S., and Russell, D. G., "Pressure Buildup and Flow Tests in
Wells," SPE, AIME, Monograph 1 (1967).
5. Odeh, A. S., and A1-Hussainy, R., "A Method for Determining the Static
Pressure of a Well from Buildup Data," J. Petroleum Technol. (1971) 23,
621-624.
6. Ramey, H. J., and Cobb, W. M., "A General Pressure Buildup Theory
for a Well in a Closed Drainage Area," J. Petroleum Technol. (1971) 23,
1493-1505.
7. Cobb, W. M., and Smith, J. T., "An Investigation of Pressure Buildup Tests
in Bounded Reservoirs," Paper SPE 5133, 49th Fall Meeting of AIME,
Houston, TX, 1974.
8. Muskat, M., "Use of Data on the Build-Up of Bottom-Hole Pressures,"
(1936) paper presented Fort Worth Meeting, Oct. 1966.
9. Muskat, M., The Flow of Homogeneous Fluids through Porous Media.
McGraw-Hill, New York, 1937.
10. Ramey, H. J., Kumar, A., and Gulati, M. S., "Gas Well Test Analysis Under
Water-Drive Conditions," Amer. Gas Association, VA, 1973.
11. Slider, H. C., "Application of Pseudo-Steady-State Flow to Pressure-
Buildup Analysis, Paper SPE 1403, 41 st Fall Meeting of AIME, Amarillo,
TX, 1966.
12. Slider, H. C., "A Simplified Method of Pressure Analysis for a Stabilized
Well," J. Petroleum Technol. (1971) 23, 1155-1160.
13. Dietz, D. N., "Determination of Average Reservoir Pressure from Build-
Up Surveys," (1965) Trans. AIME.
14. Odeh, A. S., and Jones, L. G., "Pressure Drawdown Analysis, Variable-
Rate Case," J. Petroleum Technol. (1965) 17, 960-964.
15. A1-Hussainy, R., Ramey, H. J., Jr., and Crawford, E B., "The Flow of
Real Gases Through Porous Media," J Petroleum Technol. (May 1966)
624-636; Trans. AIME, 237.
 Fundamentals of Pressure Buildup Analysis Methods 397

16. Dake, L. E, Fundamentals of Reservoir Engineering, Elsevier Scientific,

1978.
17. Ramey, H. J., Jr. "Short-Time Well Test Data Interpretation in the Presence
of Skin Effect and Wellbore Storage," J. Petroleum Technol. (1970) 22,
97-104.
18. Ramey, H. J., Jr. "Non-Darcy Flow and Wellbore Storage Effects in Pres-
sure Build-up and Drawdown of Gas Wells," J. Petroleum Technol. (1965)
7, 223-233.
19. Earlougher, R. C., Jr., Ramey, H. J., Jr. Miller, E G., and Mueller, T. D.,
"Pressure Distributions in Rectangular Reservoirs," J. Petroleum Technol.
(1968) 20, 199-208.
20. Larson, V. C., "Understanding the Muskat Method of Analyzing Pressure
Build-Up Curves," J. Can. Petroleum Technol. (1963) 2(3), 136-141.
21. McMahon, J. J., "Determination of Gas Well Stabilization Factors from
Surface Flow Tests and Build-Up Tests," Paper SPE 114, 36th Fall Meeting
of AIME, Dallas, TX, 1961.
22. Odeh, A. S., and Selig, E, "Pressure Build-Up Analysis, Variable-Rate
Case," J. Petroleum Technol. (1963) 15,790-794.
23. Martin, J. C., "Simplified Equations of Flow in Gas Drive Reservoirs and
the Theoretical Foundation of Multiphase Pressure Buildup Analyses,"
Trans. AIME (1959) 216, 309-311.
24. Russell, D. G., "Extensions of Pressure Build-Up Analysis Methods," J.
Petroleum Technol. (1966) 18, 1624-1636.
25. Russell, D. G., "Extensions of Pressure Build-Up Analysis Methods," J.
Petroleum Technol. 18, 1624-2636.
26. Amanat U. C., Pressure Transient Test Analysis User's Handbook, Vol. 8,
Twpsom Petroleum Software Series by Advanced TWPSOM Petroleum
Systems Inc. Houston, TX, 1995.